-Author's Notes-

Hey all! Chapter ten is finally here! I'm sorry that this update wasn't as fast as usual, for I had exams all last week and this week, but I got to writing it anyway! But without delay, read onward!

Warning: Rating may change due to progress of this story but this chapter is currently rated T. Warnings will be placed at the start of each chapter, this chapter implies slash but nothing explicit. Some dark themes are also in this chapter.

Pairing - David x Shockwave

Implied - Soundwave x Shockwave

Disclaimer: This story is fan made. I do not own 'Transformers' or any of its characters. Transformers belong to Hasbro. (I could say that David is my OC vehicon, but the vehicons belong to Hasbro so I find it best not to.)

-The time of this story is set in the middle of Transformers Prime: Beast Hunters, season three of Transformers Prime.-

Please do read, enjoy and leave a review!~

[Look, you just better have a good reason for dragging me out here David! It's cold and muddy, my finish is at such a risk of being completely destroyed out here! Even now, I can feel the disgusting sludge of this dirt-pile pushing its way into my perfectly shaped tires and once-immaculate mechanics...]

Knockout's loud voice rung through our comlink, it was full of nothing but worry and disgust, but I simply ignored him. I had much more important things on my processor right now rather than having to deal with his irritating nagging and excessive protests.

At this moment, we were both in our vehicle modes, driving beside each other with haste. We were driving around random areas of the desert of Jasper, Nevada. A decent location that was distant and dry was what we were currently looking for.

It was very late at night and raining heavily, we had our headlights off to stray away from any unwanted attention, but it hindered us from seeing all too well as we drove. So these factors really went against my argument of convincing Knockout to come out with me, but I am simply glad he did in the end.

I had just found out that Soundwave wasn't currently on the warship whilst I was working in the main control room, having heard a few vehicons soldiers discuss it nearby. He had went on a mission for Lord Megatron, a very important one no doubt. I believe it required his excellent expertise in hacking. Once I discovered this though, I finally comlinked Knockout, it had been two days since we talked.

I wasn't surprised by his angry tone when he answered the comlink, for I had ignored him the past few days... He had been trying to get in contact with me but I never responded. I simply hid within the large quantities of vehicons, away from his sight.

I simply had no choice! It was for both our own safety! If I dragged him into this without a care then he would probably get into trouble or maybe even hurt, I really didn't want any of that to happen to my first and only friend.

I knew I would manage to persuade him to come with me though, I told him it was very serious and that it related to why I had not spoken with him for awhile. I simply said that once he knew of my current situation then he would understand, so he hesitantly but soon agreed.

I was fairly surprised though, he trusted my word and was showing his faith in it by coming with me! I was now very content with considering Knockout my friend rather than a mere acquaintance, even after I ignored him he still managed to trust me.

My problem that I needed to tell him about most likely had him very curious too, he simply had no clue of how bad it really was. Hence the reason for his consistent complaining while we were driving. I was very used to it now though so I didn't particularly mind. I think...

[I'm s-snzhc-sorry Knockout, once I-I-I tell you about my-m-my problem we can rrnnchz-return as soon-soon as possible-ble, I'm not vnzch-very keen about staying-nzg out here-re either.] I lied, actually enjoying the feeling of the smashing rain against my armour.

I just said that to keep him on a cool level, I just had no time for pointless arguments. The rain was quite relaxing though, and relaxation is exactly what I needed right now, but I can't provide myself with it. I have to focus on sorting out my problem with Soundwave, ASAP.

My vocalizer was also still broken since the incident with Soundwave, that was also another reason why Knockout grew concerned for me and trusted my word when I said that I really did have a serious problem. I really really did.

I haven't visited or even seen Knockout since 'my problem' and my expertise in repairs or medical care was not at his level, so my vocalizer remained damaged. If I went to Knockout to repair it, he would have asked what had happened, and I know I would have annoyed him if I didn't tell him or lied about it. I'm an absolute terrible liar. This being the reason why I avoided him.

I was certain Knockout was beyond confused, but I told him that I couldn't tell him a thing about this plight until we were away from the ship. I couldn't even say why, I just had to tell him everything once I was certain that no one will know of what we discuss. Mainly a certain Communications Officer...

I suddenly heard Knockout sigh in our comlink before he spoke, pulling me away from my thoughts. [Yeah, alright, I just hope that it explains why your vocalizer is all fragged up. It's starting to drive me insane, I can hardly understand what you're saying! I don't get why you couldn't have let me repaired it back on the ship...]

He mumbled a little after that, I knew this was all stressing him out but he would soon know why this was all happening, I just hope that he was willing to spare his patience with me.

[Knockout, please, jus-ssht-just let's find a-a place to talk-lk and you'll understa-annnd.] My voice's tone was desperate, I really didn't want to stand out here and talk about it, we needed somewhere far away and appropriate. It was a short moment before he finally responded to me.

[...Fine.] His voice now sounded quieter, and I could oddly tell that he was still annoyed, for the confusion I was giving him and for me ignoring him. I really wish I could just come out and tell him, things would be so much easier then. But of course, that was out of the question.

After a short while of continuous driving, we both spotted a cave a fair distance away from us. We picked it up on our scanners and immediately began speeding up our engines, driving swiftly towards it.

It certainly wasn't long before we arrived there, Knockout arriving a good distance ahead of me. He was much faster than I, but his vehicle mode was much more superior to mine so that was expected.

Once we drove into the cave we transformed into our robot modes, a smug smirk on the sports car's face plates as he looked at his digits proudly. "I win." He said bluntly, causing a sigh to escape my static filled vocalizer as I shook my helm in annoyance. This mech was unbelievable...

"We ha-ave no time for-frnzh-for this Knockout, I-"

"Ah!" Knockout suddenly screamed before jumping into the air friskily, causing me to stumble backwards slightly and immediately pull out my cannon in sudden alarm. "What?! What?!" I shouted as I aimed my cannon around the cave, looking for whatever it was that made the medic scream.

I then noticed Knockout simply look himself over in a frantic manner. "...My finish... It's...It's..." I quickly felt my derma drop open at his words, my optics dimming in disbelief.

He cannot be serious.

I just stared at him, watching him cringe as he began wiping mud off of his legs and abdomen with reluctant servos. He actually looked as though he was about to cry.

I slammed my servo hard over my mask and shook my helm again, putting my cannon away as Knockout whimpered sadly. He observed the tiny seams filled with dirt in his armour in complete horror.

"Do you know how long it's going to take me to pick these bits of dirt out? Do you know how many scrapes my armour is going to be inflicted with when I do that? Do you even realize how serious this is David?!"

"Knockout, lo-look, canzh-can we just-" Knockout raised his servo in a halting manner, suddenly hushing me as he closed optics and shook his helm. "No David. You know what, you can pick out these pieces of dirt! And then, you can buff my armour from all of the scrapes! And then-"

"Knockout!" I suddenly clamored loudly, my visor brightening in anger as I clenched both of my servos tightly. His face plate immediately dropped as he stood back slightly, I had clearly surprised him. A hurt expression soon appeared on his face plate but he really tried not to show it, he simply crossed his arms and looked to the wall. Remaining silent.

I merely vented and looked towards the rocky ground, placing my servo upon my helm in stress. He was very clueless to how serious this was, so I would tolerate his aftness for now. I felt bad for shouting at him but he needed to stop being so infatuated by his finish right now. I needed his help.

"I'm... I'm sorry Kn-Knnchz-Knockout... Please just le-let me exsh-explain." I suddenly heaved and grabbed my neck in pain, the sparks and static was really starting to damage by vocalizer and neck cabling now. Knockout then looked to me and frowned, sighing slightly before rummaging through his armour; looking for something.

I quickly approached the wall and rested my servo on it as I choked dramatically, hunching forward as I groaned in pain. Large electrical sparks began flicking out of my neck cables consistently, I could feel my cabling there begin to burn in pain. I then quickly took off my mask, heaving even worse then before as I brought myself to sit down.

I placed my mask beside me as I my optics brightened at the agony I was feeling, once I stopped my heaves and vents, I rested my helm against the wall in complete and utter exhaustion. Knockout soon took out what he was looking for, I simply looked to him with tired optics, remaining silent as I noticed he had brought a medical kit.

A small smile appeared on my face plates as he approached me, he simply smirked at me and knelt down, beginning to gently examine my neck cables.

"I knew you wouldn't allow me to fix your vocalizer at the medical bay, you were practically pushing me out of the ship. So I sneaked this with me, I was planning on repairing you once we arrived at where you wanted to talk. I could easily tell by looking at your neck how badly damaged it was, I wasn't bound to waiting until we went back to the warship to repair it. Not to mention your voice was really starting to annoy me, so..."

I simply nodded at him, opening my derma to speak but no words came out, only static. I frowned sadly and looked down, Knockout simply waved his servo from side to side. "Hey, I'll get it fixed in a jiffy. You have just overdone your talking with your broken vocalizer, that's all. I can't believe you left it badly damaged for this long, do you know how bad that is David?.. You could have lost your vocalizer over it had you not come to me sooner!"

My face suddenly expressed a look of horror, my optics widening at his words. Now that would have been really bad, I don't think I would have the will to live on if I lost my voice. I then slowly looked away and rubbed my helm lightly, shrugging slightly in innocence as he shook his helm in disapproval.

The red mech just sighed and began taking out his equipment from the medical kit. "You just better have a good reason for not coming to me sooner..."

"Oh, Knockout! It feels great! Thank you so much!" I smiled wildly as I began stoking my newly repaired neck cables and armour in admiration, my vocalizer was no longer full of static and it was of the highest definition. Knockout simply put his equipment away into the medical kit before standing up proudly with closed optics. "I know, I know; I'm simply amazing."

Knockout had spent the last while repairing my vocalizer, it was a peaceful procedure as I listened to the rain, knowing I was going to be okay in the end. It truly helped me relax myself, I really needed to relinquish the stress from both my mind and frame.

It wasn't as painful as I thought too; it hardly was to be honest. I simply lay there and allowed him to do what needed to be done. I cringed and moaned in slight pain occasionally, but other than that, I was at ease most of the time.

I chuckled at his words and quickly stood up, immediately pulling the red medic into an impromptu and tight hug. Knockout suddenly gasped at my action, flinching slightly in surprise. He waited a short moment before slowly hugging me back, a small smile forming onto his face plate.

I knew he was reluctant because of harming his finish, but how could he deny a hug from his friend? Not to mention that his paint job was already partially scraped and dirty, as was mine.

We both laughed as we pulled away from each other, my grin simply grew wider. It certainly has felt like a long while since I last smiled. It was then that my large grin was replaced with a small frown, causing the medic to look at me in slight confusion.

"David?.." He soon questioned with a raised optic ridge, I simply shook my helm and sighed, sitting down once again. I dropped my shoulders low as I looked up to Knockout.

"I guess I should tell you what's been happening..." I muttered reluctantly as he sat beside me. We both rested our backs against the wall of the cave, watching the rain continue to slam onto the filthy and wet ground in complete silence. I vented in hesitation before finally speaking; I decided to just get to the point.

"It was Soundwave." I blurted out, causing Knockout to suddenly lean forward and look at me in complete confusion.

"...What?" He asked me, causing me to look at him with sad and terrified optics. I sighed nervously before speaking again. "...Remember when I last saw you, I had to go see Soundwave?.." I stated, earning a quick nod from the medic. "Yeah?.." Knockout spoke with remembrance, I watched as shock seeped into his optics whilst I continued.

"Well, that's why my vocalizer was damaged... He attacked me... H-He was choking me with his tentacles and he slammed me into a wall, nothing too major after that. But it's why he did it to me is what bothers me..."

I swiftly looked away, I could feel tears well up in my dimmed optics but I fought against them. I didn't want to come across as weakling in front of him. Knockout's expression was one of complete astonishment, uncertainty and... Anger?

"He... attacked you?.." He asked with a rage-filled tone, I was very surprised by his reaction. I wasn't expecting him to be angry, for some strange reason. His mind clearly wasn't following what I told him. He clenched his optics shut and growled.

"...What-Why?! Why the frag did he attack you?! Did you do something wrong?" Knockout suddenly burst in fury, spitting our random suggestions and questions of what and why this happened, causing me sink lower into where I was sitting. He moved closer to me and stared at me with a very solemn look, awaiting for my answer. "Explain. Now."

I gazed at him for a moment before venting shakily and nodding, preparing my processor for my explanation. I just need to remain calm, and hopefully Knockout will too. "Well, you and I were both wrong about it being odd of Soundwave to call me specifically to the surveillance room, because it wasn't odd; it was for a reason. "

I stopped for a moment, biting my lip plates slightly before continuing. Knockout simply remained silent, keeping his patience as he allowed me to speak. "When you asked if I did something wrong to bother Soundwave, well, in his case I did do something wrong."

I then looked back to Knockout, my optics expressing nothing but worry. I didn't even know how to form my own words or sentences properly, I was so hysteric about all of this that I could barely think straight. I simply said what came to my mind first and that was it. "It's because of Commander Shockwave."

I spoke quickly, it was like everything was spilling rapidly out of me but at random times. Knockout sat back slightly when I said this, I was only confusing him further. "What does Commander Shockwave got to do with this?" He asked me, sitting forward again as he looked at me with narrowed optics. I heaved and closed my optics, fidgeting with my servos awkwardly.

"Well, it would seem I'm... I'm not the only one who wants him." I mumbled as I averted my gaze downward, still fumbling with my twitchy servos, not knowing what else to add to that. I'm certain Knockout has grasped the idea of things now anyway.

"...Oh..." Knockout sat firmly against the wall again and placed his servo over his face plate, dragging his digits down his face plate in a stressful manner. "Oooh... It really makes sense now." He looked to me with a worried expression, an unsure frown plastered onto his face plating.

"Yeah..." I murmured, feeling a very uneasy sensation begin to twirl around my abdomen. I'm not even certain if Knockout would know what to do about this. What could anyone possibly do about this except fight?..

...Should I fight?

I suddenly brought my knees to my face plate and hugged them sadly before sighing. "...That's why I was ignoring you, he told me not to tell Commander Shockwave about this, he told me to stop visiting him! But I-I don't want to... I wasn't going to risk telling anyone about this, including you. I'm so afraid of him now. I-I... I don't know what to do Knockout. Please... I need your help." I shifted my pleading optics to him, locking my own red ones with his.

He had a very serious look on his face plate, I really couldn't tell what he was thinking right now. His expression then grew sad, his lip plates trembled very subtly. He then looked away from me before speaking. "David-" He quickly stopped himself, a long sigh escaping him before he continued.

"You need... You need to stop visiting Commander Shockwave. You cannot deal with-" "What?! No! What are you saying Knockout?! I won't stop!"

I immediately stood up, standing defensively as I glared at Knockout. I practically just exploded by simply hearing those words. Is Knockout unaware of how I feel about Commander Shockwave or something?! Surely he was paying attention to all of those times I spent rambling on about how amazing and gorgeous he was.

The medic then stood up also, his face plate was serious but sympathetic as well. "David. Listen to me; this is Soundwave you are dealing with. You have no idea of what he is capable of. He can and will kill you if you dare mess with him."

I shook my helm vigorously as I ignored his words, standing back in immense anger. "I don't care! I can't just let him push me away from Commander Shockwave! If he does then he'll go after him, he seems pretty damn determined too might I add! You have no idea what I saw in that surveillance room, what he did to me just to keep me away from him! When the time is right, he'll make a move and Commander Shockwave could be hurt, I don't want that to happen! I love him!"

Coolant began to form massively in my optics, the very thought of what Soundwave may do to my beloved Commander Shockwave just sickened me. That dream; I'm almost certain that it will be a reality if I don't do anything!

Knockout gritted his denta together and began slowly approaching me. "Don't be such a fool, David. You speak as though you can face up to Soundwave, as though you're a worthy opponent! As though you actually have a chance of being with Commander Shockwave! You're just a low-ranked solider with a crush like some young femme!"

The tears quickly trailed down my face plates, his harsh words hit my spark like a rapid gun shot. I tried to speak, but I found I couldn't. I was simply at a complete loss right now. His expression grew sorrowful and he began slowly walking towards me. "David..."

I simply continued to weep and turned around, walking away from him as I my sobs became louder, but he simply ran up to me and grabbed my shoulder, making me face him again.

"I do not want to see you get hurt. You need to stop being so foolish and wake up! You can escape this nightmare if you just let Commander Shockwave go." I simply stared at him with wide but dead optics. What I was hearing was just too much. It was unbearable.

"Let... Let him go? Let Commander Shockwave go?! I can't just let him go! I've been living a nightmare my entire life Knockout! The most happiest I've ever been was when I was with Commander Shockwave! No! The only time I've ever been happy was when I was with him!"

I roared loudly at him, causing him to flinch in surprise. But oh, I was not finished there.

"Every moment, every klik I spent with him I cherish within my spark and I still do! I love him! I love him so much, you have no idea! He is worth fighting for! I will die and suffer Unicron's wrath knowing I fought for him, knowing that I had saved him from Soundwave's Primus damned obsessive perversion of him! I will fight for him. With or without you."

With those words I roughly pulled my shoulder from his grasp, transforming into my vehicle mode and driving off and out of the cave. I left Knockout standing there with a sad expression on his face plate, he simply watched me leave with clenched servos. But I don't care. I thought he was my friend, he should be helping me!

I drove quickly towards the warship again, the rain was still continuing to fall and there were muddy puddles everywhere. I simply hope I'll make it back before Soundwave arrives. I groaned in annoyance as I felt my comlink ping consistently. It was Knockout. Yeah, and I'm not going to answer. He actually thinks I can just 'let Commander Shockwave go'?

I can't. I never will. If Knockout or Soundwave thinks I'm just a stupid vehicon that's going to let this pass by then they've got another thing coming. I will fight and I will win.

Oh David... Knockout is your friend! He's just trying to help you and keep you safe! Why must you be so harsh? Poor Knockout, I hope David comes to his senses and realizes that Knockout is his friend.

And that was a pretty intense ending, seems as though David is very determined to fight for Shockwave's spark. Do you think he should? It is Soundwave he is dealing with. Oh, what should a defective vehicon like him do? We'll see, won't we?~

Thank you all for your reviews, as always! Please leave another and stay tuned!

Thanks for reading!~