Author's note. I'm really, really sorry for the long wait, I don't know what happened but I got caught up with a lot of other stuff but here we finally are with an update, sorry it's so short.

Suggestions are welcome.

Enjoy and please review.

Megatron surveyed the beaten Femme lying at his feet. She was curled in a ball and shivering but it wasn't with cold. After the beating he'd given her, she was currently in shock and would need medical attention. Luckily for her, he planned to give it to her.

As far as he could tell, she hadn't been sent to spy on him, she'd spotted him and taken a chance. Foolish but she was a Youngling who wanted to make a point. With her small size, she was no good for battles but perfect for spying. But Autobots always disliked putting Younglings in danger, especially little Femmes so she obviously wasn't a real spy.

Her desire to prove herself had led her right into his arms and she was now his prisoner. A very delicious prisoner at that, it was such a shame she was too young to be of...use. But no matter, he enjoyed watching pretty Younglings even if he wouldn't touch them.

"Not bad Femling," he murmured softly, bending to stroke her head with its lovely purple optics.

Those optics were half closed and tears were leaking out of them. She was barely conscious but he knew she could hear every word he spoke. He carried on stroking her, keeping her awake for the time being.

"You resisted very well against me. Despite my questions you were able to hold out. Mind you, there wasn't much for you to tell was there?"

"Uh...uh," she gasped but he placed a finger against her lips.

"Hush, little one," he said softly. "You're young, you needed your freedom away from all the older ones. So you went out for a little joy ride and then you saw me. So you thought you'd see what I was up to so you'd have something to show all the other Femmes."

He bent and lifted her up into his arms. She whimpered at his touch but he simply laid her on the berth she'd fallen from. For the moment, he had no plans to leave her in a pool of her own Energon, he wanted her in a good condition. She was currently more useful to him in that state than critically injured or dead.

"Beware your curiosity next time Femme," he said, straighten up and heading for the door.

"It could lead you into even more trouble next time."

He stepped through the open door and it closed with a clang, leaving the Femme trapped inside.

The Autobot Femme base

"Ma'am, we have a problem,"

Eilta turned as Stardust came up to her. She'd been going over data pad which contained information about who would be travelling to Earth as well as some supplies that were needed there. She was planning to compile a list of things they'd want from Earth to be sent back to Cybertron, the most important being Energon.

They were all forced to survive on rations and barely managed. They either had to steal from Shockwave or wait until those Autobots that lived on other planets to bring them Energon. But those visits were not as often as they'd all liked, Shockwave did not like them coming and always did everything he could to drive them away.

But still, they managed somehow to carry on. But a new supply of fresh Energon would be such a godsend. Elita prayed that they'd receive a decent supply, at least she knew Optimus would do his best to ensure she and the other Femmes got it.

But it seemed they had other problems to worry about.

"What is it, Stardust?" she asked in concern to the pretty navy blue, sea green Femme.

"Aurora's missing," Stardust replied in her clipped tone.

"She hasn't been seen since the beginning of the morning cycle and no one knows where she is."

Elita felt the cold sensation of worry settle on her Spark.

"She's left the base?" she said quietly.

"It would appear so, ma'am," Stardust said very seriously.

"I'd like permission to take Valkyire and go look for her. Before she runs into trouble out there."

Elita nodded, it was especially dangerous with Megatron back on their home planet. Primus, if he got his hands on that innocent young Femme.

"Permission granted, Stardust," Elita said briskly.

"To a quick sweep first and if you don't find her, start a more detailed search. If you require backup, just call and I'll send reinforcements."

"Thank you Ma'am," Stardust said, inclining her head before marching away to complete her assignment.

Elita sighed softly, the former Noble still wouldn't refer to her by her given name. But it was of no consequence, a young Femme's life could be at stake. Aurora was a Femling whose Creators had been killed in a battle between Autobot and Decepticon forces.

The Decepticons had attacked the Neutral Sector and the Autobots had rushed to defend it, but many lives had been lost. They'd found the Youngling in the ruins and she'd allowed them to take her back to their base. Since then, she'd stayed among them, learning to become an Autobot Femme solider and who they all loved.

Elita clenched her fist, Aurora was only Bumblebee's age and hadn't gotten her full armour yet. She was a brave little Femme but she didn't have enough training to withstand a proper integration, only her incredible spirit.

But sadly she couldn't focus on that now, she had to deal with the Earth trip. Starscream needed help and he needed it now. So far, she had determined that Red Jack, Shadowlight, Silviana and Lilith were defiantly going. All four wanted to go and help those on Earth, so that wasn't a difficulty.

But there were a couple of others she was thinking of, but she hadn't decided whether she'd let them go.

She sighed heavily, the weight of responsibility heavy on her shoulders. She couldn't mess this up, a young Mech's very sanity was at stake.

Valkyire's POV

The tall, solidly built Femme carefully walked through the broken streets with her partner Stardust. They'd already spent a fair amount of time racing through the outskirts of Kaon, trying to determine a sigh on the missing Femling. It was unfortunate that their base was so close to the Decepticon capital but there was nothing to be done for the moment.

Shockwave always managed to find their base in the end and they had to pack up and move before he destroyed it. So far, this had been the longest time they'd settled in a single place and it was thanks to living in this rough area. After all, who'd ever suspect the Autobot Femmes living next to the city where the Decepticon cause was born?

"Do you think she'd been captured?" Stardust said softly

"I think there's a good chance," Valkyire said grimly.

"But the question is by whom? There's plenty of scum and villainy out here, any of them could have taken her."

She paused on the top of some rubble that had lain there a long time but no one had ever cleared away. From here, she had a decent view of the street and it seemed deserted although this wasn't necessarily true. But she and Stardust were pretty certain that no one was about, they were all barricaded in their broken dwellings.

"We need more information," the evergreen Femme announced to the sea coloured Femme.

"I think we should seek out one of our contacts, see if they've heard anything."

"Who's our best bet?" Stardust asked, agreeing with her partner's idea.

"I think SneakThief would be our best bet," Valkyire said firmly.

"She knows most of the goings on around here."

Stardust smiled.

"If you need it, I'll find it. If I can't find it, it doesn't exist!" she quoted in SneakThief's cheerful tones.

"Indeed," Valkyire replied. "We'd better hope she does know, time's of the essence"

Without another word, the two of them transformed and roared off down the street, hiding for their contact's hiding place. And they hoped she could give them an answer, because otherwise they might never find that young Femme alive.

Starscream's POV

Starscream lay curled up on a berth, his Trine mates nearby. Skyfire had gone off to take care of something and he was currently resting. His mind was swirling madly, trying to make sense of the confusing images that were coming to him.

Something told him they were memories but he didn't recognise them yet and was having a hard time as a result. Why did he associate pink paint as something painful and terrifying? Did he really see the Dinobots dancing? Did he imagine those warm arms gently holding him close and telling him that nothing would ever hurt him again?

He trembled, he was so confused and it was driving him mad. Slowly, he uncurled and sat up on the berth, staring at the screens that gave him and his Trine mates some privacy. He glanced over at them, they were sleeping soundly, hugging each other close. He felt a stab of envy at this sight, why couldn't he be as lucky as they?

Megatron had sometimes liked to hold him close but it had never been a gesture of kindness of comfort. He started to tear up, why had Megatron treated him like that? What had he done to deserved such awful treatment?

He trembled, Megatron had told him he deserved everything he'd done to him and more. But he'd always made out that his treatment was quite kind, compared to other Mechs who would be much crueller. They'd never let him have any freedom, wouldn't allow him a Trine, they'd keep him permanently locked up...

Starscream swallowed, it didn't bare thinking about.

He found himself on his feet, he'd somehow slipped off the berth with no conscious memory of having done so. And then he found himself walking out of the screen area and out into the main part of the Med Bay. In a quiet corner, the Autobot twins were curled up together, and like the two Seekers were fast asleep.

Another reminder of Megatron's abuse, he'd tormented these two in the worst possible way.

He blinked away tears, his feet suddenly moving him away, away from all of it, the reminders, the tears, the pain. His thoughts were still swirling, he wasn't used to this, he wasn't used to being like this...like a...child.

Oh Primus, Megatron had always referred to him as either his little Star or Mechling. Mechling, the term for a Mech who was past the youngling stage but not considered a really mature adult. A young Mech in other words but Megatron had made it into an insult. He'd turned so many things into insults, spoiled so many things.

He started to run, with no coherent thought as to where, it meant he was running blinding. Flashes of colour caught his optics, but whether they were Autobots or just figments of his imagination, he had no idea. If they were Autobots, they didn't stop him and he kept on running. It was only when cold wetness hit his face and wings did he realise he'd run clear of the base and was going up a slope.

He blinked as it continued to rain down on him, the sky was heavy and dark with rainclouds, a storm was in full flow. He was still running but he was now slowing down, coming to the stop of the slope. Once he was there, he stopped and stared over the desert as it received its seasonal dose of heavy rain.

Many bots greatly disliked the rain, it caused rusting and mud, something hated by nearly all robots. Starcream greatly disliked getting muddy, it clogged up his thrusters and other important components but he did so love the actual rain. It was such an essential part of the earth and it began life high in the sky.

It was full of life and that's how Starscream felt when he flew. A part of him wanted to fly now but he was rooted to the spot, just standing there, letting the rain soak him entirely. He had no idea how long he stood there before he heard a voice.

"Starscream?"

The Seeker turned slightly on the spot to behold Skyfire standing there, watching him with gentle concern and love in optics. And it was as though a dam had suddenly broken within Starscream as a flood of memories burst forth.

"Weak,"

"He will be dealt with,"

"What did you fraggers do to him?"

"Starscream!"

"It's a human device, it's mean to make the place more homely."

"He's not as bad as I thought,"

"I will never let you hurt him ever again,"

"Everything's going to be alright,"

"Your own little Sparkling,"

"He knows his place,"

"Your Port is mine,"

"Starscream!"

"I'll never let you harm him,"

"I love you,"

"Skyfire," Starcream whispered, not trace of the child in his optics as he gazed at his old friend.

"Starscream," Skyfire said softly, taking a step forward. "I...I'm here for you...you know that, don't you?"

"I do," Starscream said, taking a step forward of his own.

"But...oh Skyfire...I'm so afraid."

And then he was inside Skyfire's arms and hugging him tightly as the rain fell harder than ever, tears falling down his face.

"I know," Skyfire whispered, hugging him tightly. "But we'll get through this Starscream, together, we will ride this storm. I promise I will be there for you all the way, you will get over this."

And as Starscream cried, Skyfire said softly so softly that it was barely heard above the rain.

"I promise."

Author's note. Now that Starscream has his mind again, can he start to recover? And what about Aurora, can she escape Megatron's clutches? Find out next time, until then.