The Complications of Life

By: Nightelfcrawler

Disclaimer: I do not own, merely covet adoringly.

Authors' note: Apologies for the long period between updates. Life has been complicated (please note pun here), and thus I haven't spent much time writing. Fortunately a rather devoted reader prodded me into double-checking the few chapters I'd written but not published, and after a once-over I decided to go ahead and post more up. I really SHOULD write more on this one… And a few others. Bleh! Anyway, apologies for the delay, here you go. And a side-story that is completely finished will be posted following chapter eleven.

Warnings: Contains a background of slash relationships.

Chapter Ten

Things progressed fairly well over the next few days. Starscream had been rather ornery while his armor was being installed, but the moment the preliminary struts of his wings had been re-attached, his mood had brightened considerably. Though Alexis could feel his slight claustrophobia and anxiousness from being inside the med bay the entire time, the knowledge that his wings were back on seemed to alleviate his concerns. When she asked him about it, he grudgingly explained that nearly all fliers suffered similar feelings, although his Seeker model was far more prone to it than most. He himself was actually fairly used to small spaces for extended times, but his experience during captivity had also instilled some of his fears. He was good at containing it, however.

Nonetheless, it was interesting for Alexis to watch as Ratchet repaired him. The armor installation was intriguing, as he had re-built the proper armor for his class, rather than the fake disguise he had been using. It fit him better, as it was designed, and gave him a more streamlined look. Though it was all silver, she could begin to see something of a proud mech who once had been the elite flier of the Decepticon fleet. She could see why he'd held that title, and admired the elegance of his design.

However, the more time spent watching him being repaired, the more she wondered what he would do once Ratchet was finished. She knew it weighed heavily on his mind as well, as each time Optimus entered, she could feel his hesitation as he held back asking him something which he wouldn't share with her. She knew he had to face the possibility at some point, but he seemed dedicated to riding it out as long as he could.

It was therefore Optimus who finally broke the silence on one of his visits. "Starscream. I realize you may not wish to address this issue, but Ratchet informs me that the last component he has to install is your vocal processor, and then he will release you from his custody. I must then ask what it is you wish to do. Do you wish to remain here, or will you leave to pursue your own avenues?"

By now, Ratchet had repaired Starscreams' communications' center, so the mech was able to communicate through comm. systems to the other Autobots. However, due to courtesy, he still thought his replies to Alexis so she could hear what was being discussed. I do not possess enough fuel to get very far without a ship, I am afraid. Starscream admitted grudgingly. If I could use your computer system, I could transmit a secure message to a friend of mine who would be able to come and fetch me. It may take him a few days to arrive, but he can be trusted.

"If you would be so kind as to provide a name, I can do a security check and clear his arrival."

His name is Skyfire. He was a neutral during the war.

Optimus nodded, running a quick check through the database via wireless connection before turning his attention back to Starscream. "He checks out. We will allow you to contact him. I'd like to be there to give explicit instructions as to how he should arrive, but other than that you are free to do so at your leisure. I've had Prowl assign some quarters to you. You are free to roam about the Ark as you like, but I would ask that you don't go for any joy-rides outside without permission and an escort, simply due to our security. We are trying to keep a low profile from the natives as well as Decepticons."

I understand.

"Do you have any other concerns?" Optimus asked solemnly. "I have not informed the others of your identity, merely enlightened them to the fact we had an injured neutral as a guest. However, given that you do more closely resemble yourself than when we brought you in, there may be those that pry."

I will deal with them when the time comes. I merely ask your assurance they won't shoot me.

"I have made it clear that you are not to be harassed." Optimus re-assured him. "If anyone gives you grief, you have my comm. signature, and that of my security officer."

Thank you.

"Ok… lay flat for me." Ratchet groused, shoving the seeker back onto the table. "This is going to hurt, but you're going to have to gut it out. Now I warn you, this took an incredible amount of time to construct, so if you go and damage it, you're going to have to answer to me AND Wheeljack."

It's not rigged to explode, is it?

"No. I made sure there was nothing combustible in it." Ratchet sighed, rolling his optics. "I checked to make sure." He pulled a few panels open and began to carefully weld the piece into place, attaching wires and connections. "This isn't going to be a perfect replacement I'm afraid. You're going to have to force yourself to use it, and it's going to be a poor supplement, as it's not your own make. But it'll let you speak at least, which is better than I can say you had before." Starscream held still as he worked, not protesting as the parts were installed. Once Ratchet finished, he pulled back, snapping the panels shut. "There you are. You're free to go."

Starscream sat up, rubbing his throat a little, but nodded wordlessly to the medic before getting to his feet. He offered a hand to Alexis which she accepted, crawling into his palm and then onto a nice flat portion of his upper right shoulder directly above a large vent, where she could comfortably sit without fear of falling off. She marveled at the view from this height, not daunted by it, but hoping that if he DID move suddenly, he would at least be able to catch her. She took a firm grip on the rim of his air vent, just in case. Together they made their way out of the med-bay, and into the rest of the Ark. Starscream was uncertain where to go at first. She could feel his desire to fuel up gnawing at him, but he also was reluctant to go mingle. Given what she now knew, she understood why.

"I can have someone bring it to your quarters you know." She offered. He glanced sideways at her, and gave a faint smile, nodding once. "And Ratchet said you should start using your voice more."

He sighed, rolling his optics a bit, before a low grating growl escaped from his throat. It was quiet, far quieter than it probably should have been for a mech his size, and very scratchy and distorted. He grimaced at the sound before muttering in the same hoarse grating voice. "Great… I sound like slag."

"Better than nothing."

"Not likely."

She let him drop her off a few doors down from the hallway leading to the lounge, retreating to his new quarters before anyone could bother him, leaving her to walk into the rec area to see who she could bother for some cubes. Unfortunately, there were only a few mechs in there at this time of night, as she glanced at her watch, trying to remember who all was on shift at the moment. Fortunately at that time, someone she recognized came in. "Ah, Wheeljack." She called up to the white, green and red mech.

The scientist blinked around before lowering his gaze to see her, and knelt down quickly, eyes cheerful. "Ah! Hello Alexis!" He greeted, panels on the sides of his head lighting up cheerily. "How are you today!"

She held back a grimace. As friendly as the scientist was, she was slightly creeped out at his energetic attitude…. As well as his persistent desire to want to 'examine' her for research. "I need a favor." She asked, hoping that this wasn't a mistake. "Ratchet released my friend from his care, and he's a bit too tired to come down and get some fuel. Would you mind hooking me up with a few cubes and delivering them to him?"

"Of course!" Wheeljack capitulated eagerly. "I would love to be able to introduce myself to a fellow scientist. I am most curious to discover what his specialties are."

Oh boy. Alexis grimaced slightly, but knew there was no helping it now. "I wouldn't pressure him too much, he IS just out of the med-bay."

"Of course, of course." Wheeljack insisted, going to the counter and placing a small stack of cubes on the tray before offering her a ride beside the Energon. "But surely he must be as eager to speak with fellows in his field after such a long isolation in repair. Certainly I would be, were I in his place."

Starscream was going to really resent this, she thought quietly as they traveled down the hallways towards his room. But she DID thing it was a good idea to socialize with a few of the Autobots, after all if they had common interests that could help loosen him up a bit. Either way, when they arrived at the door and buzzed the comm., Alexis was prepared for the disappointed look when the doors slid aside.

Starscream blinked down at the two, a frown crossing his features as he studied Wheeljack and recognized him. The cheerful inventor simply smiled, his eyes squinting in that unusual way of his. "Hello! Alexis mentioned you required some fuel. I thought I might accompany her to introduce myself." Starscream shot her a very irritable glance, but opened his door without a word to invite the inventor in. "Excellent! Thank you." Wheeljack said cheerfully, stepping inside and placing the platter down, helping himself to one as he took a seat in one of the chairs by the wall. "I must say, it's so refreshing to have another scientist around. Do you mind me asking what your specialty is?"

Starscream sat down, taking a cube and regarding the scientist warily. "Theoretical science, biological studies and experimental technology." He said at last, voice hoarse and grating, but audible.

"Experimental technology?" Wheeljack asked, leaning forward with obvious interest. "How extraordinary, that is my field of study."

"I know." Starscream winced, trying to avoid answering another question by busying himself with a cube.

"Then surely you must have heard of some of my accomplishments?"

Starscream fixed him with a knowing look. "You are proud of your infamy?"

Wheeljack chortled. "Well, one can't succeed without failure, right?"

Alexis wanted to laugh at the sour look on Starscream's face. "I suppose." He agreed reluctantly.

"So have you any great achievements then?"

"Not any since before the war." Starscream grated out reluctantly. "All my work has been done in private and is unpublished."

"Ah, yes… well there isn't really anywhere to go to publish work anymore, is there?" Wheeljack said sadly. "I have several things I would love to have placed in journals, but unfortunately things haven't worked to our advantage as scientists." He sighed, then perked up studying him curiously. "So tell me, would I know your name from accomplishments before the war then? I don't recognize your build, fliers weren't very common science guild members during my day."

Alexis could feel him squirming uncomfortably through the link, but fortunately they were all saved from further questioning when the door buzzed. Quickly, Starscream rose and answered it. Prowl, the Autobot's 2nd in Command, stood patiently waiting. As the door opened he blinked with a slight show of surprise as he took in the bases' guest for the first time, but he quickly got to business, surprise vanishing as he nodded politely. "The communications room is set up if you would like to send your broadcast."

"Thank you." Starscream answered, a flood of relief slipping through their link. "I will follow you." He glanced back toward them, addressing Wheeljack. "You will excuse me… I must make a call."

"Oh of course. I'll accompany you." The inventor stood, smiling cheerily as he offered Alexis a lift.

Starscream sighed, but didn't protest, instead falling into step behind the tactician and following him through the halls to the communications room. It was spacious, that was for sure. Alexis couldn't help but admire the wall-to-wall computers that took up the entire room. It was nothing but complex electronics, and there were two mechs seated at stations, manning it. "Red, I've got our guest." Prowl announced as they entered.

A slim silver mech with red highlights on his armor glanced their way. "It's set up for you." He said simply, giving Starscream a sudden intense and very scrutinizing glare, his optics keen and suspicious as the three mechs and the human made their way over to the wall where a wide screen took up most of the space.

Prowl punched up a few things, and then nodded to Starscream. "Merely input the channel and it should be set."

"Thank you." Starscream murmured, leaning over and carefully typing in a long and complex code into the console. The numbers popped up on the screen, and after he pushed a green send button, they began to blink on the black screen. Starscream straightened up, watching the display expectantly. There was a long silent pause while the computer obviously was searching the frequency, then suddenly it began to blink faster, and at last turned green the moment the screen flickered, and the image of a mech so large that he had to hunch over the display to peer through the screen flashed up. Immediately, Alexis felt a flood of relief through her link with Starscream. "Skyfire. At last."

"Star!" was the obviously relieved exclamation as Skyfire sat down on a chair, his massive body filling the whole screen. Alexis could spot wings jutting out from his back, white armor a bit scuffed and dented, but bright blue optics shining hopefully out at them. "Thank Primus you're ok. I was worried when I lost contact with you! Where have you been!?" He abruptly paused. "You got your voice back!"

Starscream sighed, slapping a hand to his face. "You're as slow as always."

"Did you get an armor overhaul!? And your optics are blue!" The surprise was obviously ramping up as Skyfire squinted into the display. "Where on Cybertron ARE you?!"

"I'm with the Autobots, and I'm not ON Cybertron." Starscream finally managed to break through the insistent questions of his partner. "I'll send you the co-ordinates so you can come get me."

"Autobots?" Skyfire blinked, looking obviously taken aback.

"Yes. It's a long story." Starscream said tiredly, and at that moment, Alexis felt a very strange sensation trickle down through their link. She blinked, looking up sharply as a very questioning mind suddenly probed forth, prodding at Starscream in silence. To her astonishment, Starscream gave a mental shove back at it. For Primus' sake, Sky… hold your horses!

I can't help it! What the frag? You're with the Autobots? What on Cybertron are you thinking?!

Will you shut up! I'll explain it once you get here. Aloud, he cleared his scratchy throat. "I'm sending the co-ordinates now." He leaned over, putting in the numbers, leaving Alexis' head spinning in confusion. Somehow, some way, she knew that this mech Skyfire had just spoken to them through a similar link that she shared with Starscream. The question as to why and how prodded insistently at her, but she held her tongue and kept a check on her thoughts, not wanting to interrupt what he was doing. Still… she could FEEL the other mech's presence there, lingering, inquisitive, and with an insatiable curiosity to rival her own. "There. Sent." Starscream said at last. "Make your way here, and for Primus' sake, DON'T let anyone follow you."

Skyfire glanced down at the console, studying the numbers. It was then Alexis felt a sudden wash of utter shock flood through him. Is this some kind of joke? Came a sharp question, though the mech's face appeared calm on the screen, still seeming to study the numbers, his fingers moving as if imputing the data.

What? Starscream shot back irritably.

Star… these numbers. I know them. Do you even REALIZE where you're sending me?

What? It's a backwater little dusty planet filled with organics. What's to know?

Star! LOOK at the co-ordinates!

Starscream blinked, and glanced down at the numbers, obviously startled by the mental tone of his partner. After a moment's study, however, Alexis felt the same shock ripple through him. Impossible! It cant' be! That planet was all ice!

Nonetheless… those co-ordinates are burned in my processor, Star… I'd know them anywhere… It's the same fragging planet.

It's possible… Starscream mused softly. That things changed over the millennia… it may have been in an ice age at the time which has since receded giving birth to life here. This may be the same planet, but it definitely is not the same place. You have my word on that.

There was a very long pause, during which Alexis noted the other mechs in the room seemed to become a bit antsy at the long silence, obviously unaware to the conversation occurring in silence. Ok… I'll trust you on this. But Primus, Star… this planet was the last place I thought I would return to.

I know, I know… Just make sure you're not followed. If the Decepticons tag you, we're in for trouble.

Right, better tell me that aloud to make sure.

"Do you have them?" Starscream asked at last, making a show of asking impatiently, his fingers drumming against the console.

"Yeah… Sorry I've got some interference here, it made the uplink slow. I've got them. I can be there in two days at my present course."

"Make it three. Do some jumps to ensure you're not followed. The last thing we want is Decepticon interference."

"Good point." Skyfire said, seeming fairly reluctant. "I'll do a few jumps to make sure. I don't think we've been tagged, but with them you never know. I'll send a signal once I'm entering atmosphere."

"Make sure to keep a cloaked entry." Starscream added. "The organics here are intelligent and have satellites in orbit. Run dark so they don't pick you up."

"Got it. We'll see you then. Skyfire out." The screen went black, but not before a short burst of thought was sent out. I'll hurry. I miss you.

I know. See you soon. And with that, the link was abruptly severed, leaving Alexis with an odd sense of loss, and a distinct sense of mourning from her partner. Baffled, she watched him as he drew himself up, and turned nodding shortly to Prowl. "Thank you."

"When you receive his signal, we'll give him instructions on how to dock." Prowl advised. "Until then, you are free to roam the base as you see fit."

"Thank you."

"Interesting." Wheeljack said with obviously curiosity. "Skyfire… I know his name from my academy years, and it's hard to mistake his size… he was quite well known in the science community. He graduated nearly at the top of his class, was accepted into the guild. He had a partner if I recall, one who was just as brilliant." His optics slid sideways to study Starscream thoughtfully. "But I seem to recall there was an accident later where he was thought lost…"

"He was." Starscream rasped with a small shrug. "Fortunately he was found some time later after the war had begun. There were no records by then to update."

"Ah, that accounts for it, then!" Wheeljack said, clapping his hands together. "Well, I've taken enough of your time up. Feel free to drop by my lab if you like! I have an order of new flash bombs to finish up, so I had best get to work." He waved merrily and made his way outside.

Prowl cleared his throat. "You probably don't want to join him." He advised wisely, staring at Starscream with a knowing look. "Unless you'd care to spend more time with Ratchet."

"Thank you for the advice."

"Any time." Prowl said casually. "Oh, one more thing." He said suddenly, closing the distance between them. Alexis flinched from her position on Starscream's shoulder, suddenly feeling a sense of foreboding from both herself, and her partner as she caught sight of Prowls' narrowed optics. He spoke softly, low enough so the two other mechs in the room couldn't overhear. "I would strongly advise you do not cause trouble while you are here. I am well aware of your history, and nothing would please me more than to find an excuse to re-open my brig. Keep your nose clean, understand?"

Starscream frowned, his own azure optics narrowing in suspicion. However, he made no protest as the tactician stepped away. Instead, he watched him warily. He knows who you are, doesn't he? Alexis sent privately.

Yes. Was the sullen response. I suppose it was necessary that Optimus inform him, or he's just smart. But I believe he will not inform others unless something goes wrong.

I hope so. He freaks me out.

Starscream chuckled softly, glancing at her with amusement. Does he now?

She grimaced. "Oh shut up." He grinned, and shook his head, stepping out of the control room and heading back to his room. Starscream… Alexis finally thought at him, frowning as she struggled with a way to ask him without seeming intrusive. That mech… who was he? The one you spoke to?

My partner, Skyfire. Was the simple reply. We were good friends before the war, we have worked together since I left the Decepticons.

She had the sneaking suspicion that there was more to it than that. There was just something strange about their conversation that had bothered her. You DO know that I overheard what you two were thinking, right?

Starscream stopped dead in his tracks, and whirled his head to stare at her, optics wide. "What?"

She blinked, grabbing tightly onto his air vent to prevent herself from pitching straight off towards the floor. "I said, I heard what you two discussed… about the planet being familiar and stuff?"

He blinked. "You did?" He looked slightly troubled. "I did not realize you would hear that."

"Well… I did." Alexis said uncomfortably.

"I am sorry." Starscream said quickly, regaining his composure swiftly. "I will ensure I alter the nanites so you do not have to overhear such things again."

"I didn't mind, I just thought you should know. Some of that was… kind of personal."

"Indeed." He said frowning. "I will correct the problem."

That wasn't quite the answer she'd been looking for, but she wasn't about to press him. Somehow it just didn't seem to be her business.