Author's note. Sorry for taking so long to update again, but I've been working late all week. Still, I finally got this done and I hope you all like it.

With thanks to Murasaki_KuroNeko_Rei for her characters, Silviana and Lilith.

Suggestions are welcome.

Enjoy and please review.

Shockwave's POV.

Shockwave was carefully replacing his Codpiece when Megatron moved slightly in his sleep. This made the purple Mech pause, he didn't wish to disturb his leader. He still couldn't quite believe what had happened, it was like a dream, a dream he had woken from had found to be true.

He had just had mind blowing interface with his leader and had even been allowed to sleep with him afterwards. He was having slight trouble believing what had happened but the satisfied feeling deep within his Port told him otherwise. Mentally he smiled, he was starting to wonder why he had gone so long without interface. He had just about forgotten about how good it was.

He understood that Megatron had only interfaced with him as a way to relieve himself but he didn't care. After all, it showed how much he trusted Shockwave not to breath a word about what had happened. This alone was enough to please Shockwave, the actual interface was a bonus.

He sighed softly, it was time to go and get back to work. It had been very nice of his leader to allow him to sleep beside him but he knew Megarton didn't expect him to stay all night. He was just going to leave quietly and allow Megatron to sleep, he'd make sure he was alright later.

He carefully got off the berth and started making his way to the door when.

"Leaving so soon, Shockwave?"

Shockwave gave a small start and turned to see Megatron slightly propped up on the berth, watching him with a wry smile. Shockwave quickly cleared his throat and said.

"I'm sorry my Lord, I didn't want to disturb you."

Megatron chuckled.

"You didn't disturb me Shockwave but I always know when my interface partner is trying to leave," he said with a feral grin and Shockwave knew the grey Mech wasn't talking about him.

Shockwave nodded before asking.

"I hope my performance was satisfactory for you, my Lord, under the circumstances?"

Megatron smiled and said.

"Don't worry, Shockwave, you proved your worth to me once again,"

This made Shockwave stand slightly straighter, mentally smirking. He always enjoyed praise from his leader who naturally did not dole it out for every little thing. But he wasn't quite prepared for his leader's next question.

"How long since you've done it Shockwave? Had a really good interface?"

"Not in a very, very long time, my Lord," Shockwave said simply.

Megatron chuckled but not unkindly.

"I confess I don't understand how anyone can go so long without it, especially if they've done it in the past."

Shockwave gave a sort of helpless shrug.

"I realise it must seem odd but I just get completely caught up in my work, I don't have time to seek someone out,"

"You should get yourself someone Shockwave, someone to warm your berth until you can get your hands on the one you want," Megatron said with a sly grin. "You like Femmes don't you? Take a nice little one and keep her close."

Shockwave considered the suggestion thoughtfully.

"Thank you for the suggestion my Lord," he said honestly. "But I don't think I would make a very good job of it,"

Megatron laughed softly.

"Ah well, it's always a possibility," he said generously.

He then grinned at Shockwave.

"Besides, I believe you have a very ambitious goal, don't you? To tame the wild blue Autobot Femme Chromia," he said, a lustful look in his optics.

"Ahem, indeed, Megatron," Shockwave said, if he had had a face, he would have been blushing slightly.

Thankfully, this didn't show in his voice. This was another reason why he was intrigued by the Femme SIC, she made him blush. No one had ever made him blush in such a fashion, not every time he thought of them.

He hadn't slept with anyone in Orns but that didn't mean…he hadn't experienced certain strong feelings. Deep feelings of arousal that had needed to be taken care of, in a very discreet manner. He found his private wash room was the best place for this.

He refocused his attention back on his leader who was speaking again.

"A word of advice Shockwave," he said matter-of-factly.

"When you take someone, doesn't matter if it's Chromia or another, make sure you show them who is in charge."

Megatron had a wide smile on his face but he was being deadly serious.

"Once you do that, they are yours. They may protest, try to fight you even but that doesn't change the fact. It can take time, you must be willing to invest this but it is all worth it,"

Shockwave nodded, paying rapt attention as Megatron continued.

"You know it was by pure chance that my little whore got away from me? He just happened to crash outside the Ark and of course those soft Sparked fools took him in,"

Megatron shook his head in regret, regret for having lost his toy in such a fashion. But then he smiled as he looked into Shockwave's face with it's single optic bulb.

"All I have to do is get my hands on him again, and then I will ensure that he never runs again,"

And Shockwave believed his leader, he knew he would not rest until he took Starscream again.

Megatron's optics were glowing brightly with promise of this fact but then they dimmed to their usual shade.

"Once I am recovered I am going to go recruiting, I want you to draw up a list of those of look suitable before I go and see them,"

"Of course, my Lord," Shockwave said in his professional manner.

Megatron nodded and with of his hand, dismissed Shockwave. But as Shockwave started for the door, Megatron suddenly called out to him.

"I'd like you to come back at the end of your work cycle, Shockwave,"

Shockwave paused, his leader's words sinking in. And then he nodded before leaving, leaving his leader relaxing on the berth, a satisfied smirk on his lips.

Elita's POV.

Elita strode along the corridors of her base, Red Jack happily at her side. Once she had reassured the young Medic that he was only being sent to Earth because he was desperately needed there, he had reverted to his usual cheerful self.

As yet, she hadn't told him exactly why because he did not want to have to repeat herself detailing the abuse Starscream had suffered. It was a very painful subject, not to mention the fact that others had been hurt. But there was one that she could talk to Red Jack about, and she briefly cursed herself for not thinking of it earlier.

Drawing the red and white Mech into a deserted corridor, she turned to face him and said.

"Jack, you know how I said I would explain the Earth situation once we found the others,"

He nodded.

"Well, there was something I forgot to tell you, something that will affect you personally," she said gently and his optics widened.

"As you know, there was an attack on the Ark and several Autobots were hurt. One of those was Red Alert."

"Red Alert," he cried, fear for his 'creator' spilling out of him.

"It's alright Jack," she instantly reassured. "Physically, his injuries were minor and he has long since recovered from them,"

Red Jack paused, looking a little less panic but still very much concerned.

"It's the psychological ones we're worried about, he suffered greatly because even though he was not himself, he still let Megatron into the base," Elita explained gently.

Red Jack's optics were wide with shock, he knew how much protecting security meant to his 'creator'. He could only imagine how this would have affected the strict Mech for having failed in his duty.

"You need to be there for him," Elita said gently. "Help him get over it."

"I will," he promised, bright optics shinning with emotion. "I'll do what ever it takes."

Elita smiled.

"Good Mech," she said, patting his cheek and he beamed. Red Jack was the type who needed lots of praise when he did something good. It was a result of his unusual Sparking.

"Let's go," Red Jack now said in a voice of determination. "I want to get to Earth as soon as possible."

Elita laughed as he pulled her along but let him, she wanted to get things organised as soon as possible. The lightly jogged along the corridor until they came to a dead end with a ladder leading upwards in front of them. Red Jack quickly climbed up it, opening the man hole at the top before scrambling through it.

Elita then followed, emerging into a brightly lit room with lots of storage containers. She then followed Red jack out into another corridor before they finally came to a door. Red Jack quickly knocked and then stood back. A moment later the door was opened and they were greeted by a Femme with different shades of grey, black, white and silver.

"Elita, Jack, how nice to see you," she smiled and gestured for them to come in.

"Hello Shadowlight," Elita greeted back as she and Red Jack entered.

This was Shadowlight's office in the neutral base and it was very comfy and organised. There were lots of cabinets full of data pads and other stuff but they were out of the way. Apart from a desk and workplace, there was also an assortment of comfy looking chairs and sofas. The Femme with the high wings doors liked you to feel at home when you visited her office and it usually worked.

"I heard you had some trouble earlier," Shadowlight said with an amused smile causing Elita to sigh heavily.

"Indeed we did, I swear those triple changers will be the end of me,"

Shadow and Rouge were very useful and skilled, there was no denying that. As triple changers, they had ground and Seeker forms which made them formidable. Rouge was a fighter while her sister Shadow was a field Medic, one who worked without a her own Medical Bay. But they were so unbelievably reckless.

Shadowlight's optics twinkled, but she didn't say anything more on the subject and indicated that they should both sit down. Elita and Red Jack gladly did so as the neutral Femme also sat.

"What can I do for you?" Shadowlight asked after they had made themselves comfy.

"I have something very serious to discuss with you and Jack," Elita began. "And also a request."

"Oh?" Shadowlight said curiously, sensing how serious this was.

"This will take a while," Elita warned. "If you're busy, I will come back later."

"I was just with Silviana and Lilith," Shadowlight said, speaking of a pair of Femme twins who she spent a lot of time with. "But they've gone off for some studying and I won't see them again till much later. And I don't have anything on for the rest of this cycle."

"Good," Elita said with a smile before turning serious.

"Well, it all started several cycles ago…."

She explained about Starscream and how he came to be with the Autobots. She talked about all the horrible things they had found about him, how he had been abused for so long. She talked about the good and the bad things that had occurred at the Ark and about all those who had tried to help him.

She explained in great detail all about how Starscream had been kidnapped, and the following rescue. Both of her listeners were silent throughout the whole thing though Red Jack had great difficulty controlling himself when Elita talked about how Red Alert had been used by Megatron. But somehow he managed.

"And that's it," Elita finally finished with a sigh.

"The poor twins have been suffering nightmares ever since and Starscream still hasn't woke up. Not to mention how poor Red is doing."

She looked right into Shadowlight's optics and then Red Jacks.

"Will you help them."

"I will," Shadowlight said resolutely. "And I can even think of some who can help as well, Silviana and Lilith for one."

"And you can count on me Elita," Red Jack said, placing his hand over his Spark to show how dedicated he was.

Elita's optics shone as she said exactly two words in response to this.

"Thank you.

Optimus's POV.

"Hello my darling,"

Optimus smiled as the face of his beloved appeared before him. He spoke before she did, and he drank in the way her optics danced with happiness at his words. It was hard to be parted from her once again but he was grateful for the time they had had together, even if it had been for a short time.

"Hello to you too," she replied, her lovely smile enthralling him.

"I have some wonderful news," she continued. "Both Shadowlight and Red Jack are going to come to Earth, along with some others."

"That is indeed good news, my darling," Optimus said, his optics twinkling with pleasure.

"We will be sure to be ready for them."

"But I'm afraid they cannot get there until the Space Bridge is repaired," Elita continued sorrowfully. "It would take too long by any other means, Omega Supreme needs to rest after getting you all back so fast,"

Optimus nodded.

"Don't worry Elita," he said soothingly. "I've already spoken to Blaster about that, he's going to talk to Soundwave and, ahem, drop some strong hints about getting it repaired."

This made Elita laugh out loud.

"Oh Optimus," she said, her optics sparkling. "That was very sneaky,"

"I'm glad you think so," he said, his optics equally sparkling. "He's been wanting to talk to Soundwave any way, about the good news."

"It certainly is good news," Elita agreed, smiling. "The first Sparkling to be Sparked and born on Earth, it will be a very special occasion."

"Indeed it will be," Optimus said, smiling widely behind his mask. "Indeed it will."

Blaster's POV.

Blaster waited on the deserted cliff top, sitting on a comfy slab of rock. He had contacted Soundwave some time ago, asking to see him briefly and the serious blue Mech had agreed. Technically, he hadn't come along, Jazz had given him a lift to the rendezvous point but had then driven off to a discreet distance.

He hummed softly, loving the feeling of the warm glow inside of him. He couldn't' wait until his Sparkling was born.

"Blaster," came a voice from right behind him.

"Wave," he breathed as he turned to see Soundwave standing there. "Sorry, I didn't notice you there."

"Blaster, highly distracted," agreed Soundwave as he moved forward to sit next to Blaster on the rock slab.

"Heh, sure am," Blaster laughed before growing a bit more serious.

"Wave, I've got some news."

Looking Soundwave right in the optic, well visor, he took a deep breath and said.

"My Spark split,"

Soundwave didn't say anything for a minute and then.

"Cassettes will be thrilled," Soundwave murmured softly causing Blaster to laugh.

"Heh, well, my kids are going to need a few play mates," he said teasingly before adding slyly.

"Am I going to get a kiss? I am expecting after all."

The next moment, Blaster found himself on his back as sound wave pinned him there, having already removed his face mask. The next ten or so minutes were spent in a full blown make out session.

After they finished, Blaster said, a little breathlessly.

"Wave, would you be able to organise the rebuilding of the Space Bridge?"

"Affirmative," Soundwave said before adding with a small smile. "Leader must be able to return."

This made Blaster laugh out loud at his counterpart's sneakiness. This resulted in another make out session which lasted even longer. But finally Blaster had to leave, his Spark was still very delicate as Soundwave reminded him. With a final kiss of goodbye, Blaster called over to Jazz to meet him before setting off.

"See you around, Wave," he called with lone last cheeky grin.

Soundwave remained by the Cliffside for quite a while, long after Blaster had gone. With both Megatron and Starscream gone from the base, the Nemesis was a very nosy place to be at the moment. He needed a little bit of time to get all his thoughts and feelings in order before he returned.

He was honestly happy for Blaster, the red tape player had waited so long for his Sparklings. Wryly he thought about how his own were going to react when they heard the news. Just a few days ago they had been asking about that very subject.

He sighed, he supposed he should go back and break the news.

But as he got to his feet, something caught his the edge of his line of vision and he turned. What he saw defiantly made him pause.

A fire ball was streaking across the still dark sky, but managing to light out the whole area of it continued on it's course. His gaze followed it was it eventually went low and crashed through what he knew to be forest in the distance. The was a burst of bright orange light and the darkness again, as though there had never been a mentor in the first place.

But something told Soundwave it was more than that and in that moment, he determined to find out what it was.

Skyfire's POV.

Skyfire groaned softly before sitting up in his berth. He had just had another restless recharge where he had tossed and turned fitfully. Ratchet had stopped giving him sedatives, instead insisting that he have plenty of berth rest.

This had suited Skyfire, up to a certain point. He wanted to remain in the Med Bay because that was where Starscream was. There was no way he was not going to be there when Starscream finally awoke, not even Unicron could tear him away. But oh, it was so hard just sitting around, doing nothing.

He was passive by nature but this feeling of helplessness was just overwhelming.

"Can't sleep?"

Skyfire turned at the sound of the voice, it was Thundercracker sadly smiling at him from where he was lying with his mate on a berth. By now the two Seekers could have moved out of the Med Bay but like Skyfire, they wanted to remain until Starscream was better.

Ratchet had been pleased with this decision, he wanted to monitor the two just to make sure everything was alright. It wasn't often he was able to do this as most fled when they were medically able to.

But of course, this meant the two were suffering in the same way Skyfire was. Both had only left for very short flights so as to prevent air sickness taking hold but apart from that they hadn't budged. This of course didn't include the time they had left to go to that meeting to discuss the situation with Prime and the others.

Skyfire shook himself and focused on the question Thundercracker had just asked him.

"No, I don't think I'm going to need t sleep for a long time after this,"

Thundercracker chuckled and nuzzled his sleeping mate.

"It helps when you share a berth but I know what you mean," he said quietly.

"It is hard."

"Yeah," Skyfire said with a heavy sigh, briefly glancing over at the twins who were sleeping soundly, thanks to some sedatives.

"Why do you think…" Skyfire began but there came a sudden frantic beeping from right behind him.

Skywarp woke up with a start, looking around in alarm as Skyfire spun around. As Skyfire rushed off, Skywarp yelped.

"What's happening, what's going on?"

"It's alright Warp," Thundercracker quickly said, holding his hysterical mate, trying to clam him down.

"Nothing's the matter, everything's fine."

"But what was that racket?" Skywarp asked, very confused now. But before Thundercracker could answer, the beeping became louder.

"It's Starscream," Skyfire suddenly cried, his voice carrying over to them.

"He's waking up,"

Author's note. In the next chapter, Starscream wakes up but what is going to happen now? Will he be able to recover or is he broken beyond repair. Also, what is that mysterious crash that Soundwave investigates? Find out in the next chapter, until then.