Blast Off found himself slightly relieved when Swindle bounded up to him, smiling that "salesman" smile, and asked him to take him to a planet not far from this mud ball to do a little "shopping". He had his old, swindler smile back. It seemed that despite the emotional state he had been in sense his emotion...chip thing was damaged, he still had his personality in tact. Though, no one seemed quite sure whether or not that was a good thing...but at least he was still their beloved - kind of - little brother.

Either way, it made Blast Off relax a bit knowing his "sibling" hadn't changed, though it didn't take any of the bluntness from his words as he looked at Swindle, and spoke a word that made Swindle give him a look that - as humans say - made him feel as if he had kicked a puppy. Of course, were that true, the puppy couldn't give him a look. It would be dead, in a pile of squished puppy goo. "No." Was that word, Swindle's smile faltered instantly, and he gave him that look. Quivering lip and all. It made the shuttle wonder if Swindle was using his "injury" as an advantage, what with the constant mood changes. They had been doing nothing but good for him so far.

Getting coddled by Onslaught, Vortex, even Brawn. Having Starscream keep a close optic on him, especially after Hook had painted his helm a nice, glittery, hot pink. Which Skywarp admitted he had put in there, in hopes that it would get to one of the Cone Heads or on of the cassette twins. He swore he forgot about it and apologized, promising to get Swindle some black paint and polish to get rid of the pink. Which he still had yet to do. So a lot of mechs, surprisingly a lot, either dragged Swindle off or distracted Megatron whenever they got too close to running into each other.

Everyone learned the hard way - mainly Starscream and Soundwave - that Megatron does not. like. pink. In any form or shade. And Swindle's hot pink, glittering helm would likely be no different, and it would make a good target for their "Glorious" Leader, who would likely aim right at the offending color with his Cannon. Though, of course, a few mechs who disfavor Swindle have been trying the opposite.

Though a null ray from Starscream, a punch from Brawl, or a nice - sadistic - disapproval from Vortex usually got them to leave him be. Even Skywarp got involved, warming Thrust out into the middle of the ocean, when he all but dragged Swindle in Megatron's direction when the smaller 'Con spotted him and turned to escape his wrath.

In fact, he had still yet to return...

Blast Off snapped from his thoughts, looking down at Swindle who now glare-pouted at him. All it really did was make him look adorable, really. Like a sparkling who got refused some Energon Goodies. Which knowing Swindle, was likely more along the line of "credit goodies". Primus forbid Swindle get refused the chance to swindle someone. Or be ignored in favor of thinking, as it appears Swindle is now complaining something along the lines of "You're not listening", which is kind of true. For he had sort of tuned him out after he said no and Swindle started trying to "sweet talk" him into taking him.

"Swindle," The smaller mech stopped talking and gave him a curious glance upwards, which only proved to make him look younger, be it possible. In fact, ever sense that blow to the head seemed...younger. Acted it, looked it. His over-all form hadn't changed at all he just...started acting younger, less...swindler...like? Primus that sounded so unintelligent. "I would listen...if you would talk less, stay on topic, and take an answer - the first answer - as the only answer and leave it. I said no, I meant no, I'm not changing my mind. If you're so desperate to talk someone into it, go bother Astrotrain." He gave a dismissal wave of the hand, tilting his head down at the other.

Swindle pouted again, slouching his shoulders. "But Blast Off!" He whined. "...Astrotrain scares me..." He made a point of growing a very paranoid expression, glancing around and curling in on himself slightly, bringing both hands to clasp infont of his chest. Blast Off stared at him for a moment, not sure whether to laugh, inquire the exactly reason why he feared him, or leave the topic alone. He decided with B.

"And he scares you...why?" He tilted his head to the side slightly, crossing his arms across his chest as the kept his optics Swindle. Swindle gave him a look, one that made the shuttle feel sort of stupid for even asking. "You're kidding," He frowned. "He's insane! Even Starscream's somewhat afraid of him! And Primus knows Starscream acts like a coward but he's pretty damn brave..." Swindle frowned, slouching slightly more. He suddenly perked up, which made Blast Off jump a bit. "You know what!" He pointed to the sky enthusiastically, before bringing his hand down in a fist, smirking. "I can't wait until the day he shows these slag-heads a thing or two! I hear them talking about him all the time, saying he's stupid and cowardly! But that's just because they don't know him like we do!" He grinned up at Blast Off.

"Starscream's smart! He's a scientist! Or used to be...and he's brave! You have to be in order to willingly back talk Megatron! It isn't him being stupid..." Swindle trailed off, and shook his head. He seemed at a lost for a moment, growing a confused expression. Blast Off quirked an optic ridge, about to question before Swindle perked back up. Strange. "Seems like the only ones who know how he really is are us and his Trine. And Soundwave!" Blast Off smiled under his mask, it was kind of cute - in a weird way - how he seemed to look up to Starscream. In a weird way...

But then again, despite how he tended to act around them when with others, he did care for them. And surprisingly had been showing that in public a lot more recently, sense Swindle's injury. It seemed Skywarp had a soft spot for them too. Soundwave had always had a soft spot for Swindle, though. Which weirded Starscream out at first. He later figured it was because Swindle was young, and innocent in his own...twisted...swindling way. He shoved it off as something to do with having kids of his own, that he naturally had a soft spot for youngsters. After all, he seemingly went easier on the younger Autobots. If he even fought them.

Soundwave and kids, dang. Like his "Father" drive never kicked off after having to raise the brats he has now.

Though, admittedly, Soundwave's brats got along fine with them. Especially Rumble, who seemed to just like hanging around Starscream and Skywarp for some reason. Perhaps it had something to do with how Skywarp once told them to "Just call me Uncle 'Warp!" shortly after they met and Starscream got back with his Trine. The only one who ever actually did call him that, only did so once. It was Vortex. And he did it to tease him after he got in trouble with him and they were locked in a cell together.

"Blast Off!" He snapped from his thoughts and looked to Swindle, who gave him an accusing glare. "What?" He asked, blinking a few times. "You started ignoring me again!" He pointed, then crossed his arms in a huff. Yeah, that damage had to of taken his mind back in a time or something, because he's acting like he did when they were younger...before they were...imprisoned.

It kind of made him nostalgic though.

"You know if you're just going to stand around and think...you can do so while I'm shopping on that little planet I was telling you about!" Blast Off gave him a smirk. "Nice try." Swindle crossed his arms, slouched his shoulders, and pouted. Blast Off chuckled, giving him a pat on the head. "Fine..." Swindle sighed, and turned. "I'll go ask Astrotrain." He stalked off towards the door, paused, and looked around. "Vortex is in his room..." Blast Off stated knowingly, Swindle shot him a look, nodded, and walked out the room.

Blast Off chuckled, and went back to reading his datapad, which Swindle had interrupted him in the middle of.

"No let's see if Charlie gets with Katie...or if he confesses that he truly is in love with her best friend, Jane."

He smiled as he started where he left off.

Authors Notes: First off, I would like to say sorry...I just HAD to add that last part! Just made up names. You get the idea though, Blast Off is reading a cheesy romance novel. One of the drama filled types. Cliché types. You get the idea. I wasn't going to, not originally, but it just came to me while typing and I figured it would be funny. I was going to make it Onslaught, but figured Blast Off would be funnier. Bet you can't guess why Swindle was looking for Vortex! You'll find out in the next chapter, though.

Disclaimer: Transformers does not belong to me, nor do any of it's Characters.