I hope you liked the last chapter. It was a more difficult chapter to write. I still am not god with creative punishment so I will leave that to Ironhide to work out on Cliffjumper. Please take a moment to review because I love them. Enjoy!

Megatron liked the darkness of the temple once a mech was past the brightness of the Hall. He could also see why Chelsea preferred to be below. It was quiet and eerie and would ward off any normal mech or femme. As he reached the doors to Chelsea's and Barricade's quarters Megatron stopped and pinged the chime on the door. As usual, Barricade was the one to answer the door.

"My lord what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" He asked Megatron as he stood back to allow him access. They had been here almost a year and this was the first visit from the Lord High Protector and Barricade knew that it was not social.

"I came to talk to Chelsea. Is she in?" Megatron asked.

"She is asleep, resting. Nighthawke kept her up last night." Barricade said. He was a little uneasy allowing his mate to see the Lord High Protector because he still feared what Megatron could do to her.

"Barricade, it's alright. I will be happy to meet you my lord." Chelsea replied even though she knew that Barricade was uneasy about his visit. She knew that he was here for Waverly and Allie had already telepathically connected with her.

"Chelsea, good morning, I hope that Nighthawke is well." Megatron said.

"He is. His back dermas are coming in and it makes his systems run warmer than normal. Doc is overseeing to him since he will soon be due for an upgrade. You are here to discuss Waverly, my lord."

"Yes, she needs to be presence this morning so that Cliffjumper may see her."

"She is scared of him. He did, after all, dismiss her rather rudely." Chelsea said.

"Yes I am aware of that. Has she seen Doc?" Megatron asked.

"She has and she is very upset over finding that she is carrying. I have advised her as well as reminded her that she will have to meet with Cliffjumper. I have also told her that he is aware of her condition. She is not taking it well my lord."

"Regardless she will have to be presence for this meeting and I expect her to be there within the hour." Megatron stated.

"She will not even go back to her quarters." Chelsea cried softly. "How can you expect her to agree to this?"

"She has to meet with him Chelsea." Megatron said.

"He raped her and then left her as if she was some two bit whore bot my lord." Chelsea countered. "She is still coming to terms with this and is clearly not ready."

"It has been two weeks and Cliffjumper is demanding to see her. It is his right by law to see the femme that is carrying his sparkling. He wants both her and the child Chelsea."

"I'll see him." It was directed from the doorway of the berth room and Megatron looked over to see the petit red gold haired femme standing disheveled listening to them. She was exquisite and Megatron could see why she got under Cliffjumper's armor. If he was not bonded he would certainly invite the little thing into his berth. He felt Shalon's laughter through their bond as she demurely sent an image of him between her and Waverly. Megatron's systems heated somewhat and Chelsea gave him a stern look of warning.

"He will be taken to Prime's office. I expect you to be there within the hour." Megatron told her. She was scared but she seemed determined. "I will send someone…"

"…no, that will not be necessary; Barricade and I will escort her to Lord Prime's office." Chelsea interrupted. Barricade walked toward the little femme protectively and Megatron smirked. It seemed that Barricade had become more protective since he had come to the Realm. It was not the first time that Megatron had witnessed his defensive stance concerning a femme and it must have come through from his bond with Chelsea since she was highly thought of among them.

"Thank you for seeing me Chelsea. I thank you for preparing Waverly and I will see that Cliffjumper will be on his best behavior today." Megatron assured them and he could see Waverly stiffen from reaction to his words.

"I understand my lord. I will be there and I am sorry that I have held myself in seclusion but you and Lord Prime are right. I need to face this." She said in her soft feminine voice that Megatron could appreciate as a mech. It reminded him so much of Shalon when she first had come to him. It was a shame that this arrogant stubborn mech should shame her in such a way. With the right hand she would make a fine Decepticon mate worthy, like Chelsea, to birth great femmes and mechs. He would take a personal interest in this femme to make sure that Cliffjumper would not hurt her in any way ever again or he might be the one in a darkened corridor waiting to off line the minibot himself. He also understood why Prime was so upset. She called to their protective programming. She was magnificent and she and her sparkling would be protected at all costs.

"I will make sure that I will be there to support you. You have my word that he will not say anything that may hurt you but I do need to know one more thing. Has Chelsea advised you on the situation concerning the laws governing his rights?" Megatron asked her gently.

"She has and I will submit to his wishes. He is the sire of my sparkling and as much as it pains me I will submit to his will." She said even though her words lacked confidence and her hands shook in agitation. Clearly Chelsea had been working with her or she would not have even met him this morning. Megatron nodded to Chelsea in gratitude and then bowed to Waverly. They bowed back in submission to his retreat and he turned and walked out of the living area to meet with Prime.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

They walked in silence. It seemed to take forever to get to Optimus Prime's office and Chelsea could see Waverly get stiffer and more stilted in movement as they approached the offices over the tarmac. As they walked into Prime's open door, Chelsea noticed that both Lord Megatron and Lord Prime were sitting in the adjoining conference room. There was no one else and Waverly relaxed as she noticed that Cliffjumper was not present.

"Thank you Chelsea for bringing Waverly. Barricade I appreciate you protecting her while she was coping with this situation." Prime said as he stood and motioned for them to take a seat. Prime walked over and pulled out a chair for Waverly to take and then helped her to sit. "I decided to have Cliffjumper join us after I saw you. I wanted to make sure that you will be able to meet with him without it causing undue stress on your systems."

"Thank you for your consideration my lord." Waverly said in her beautiful lilted voice. "I was afraid at first but I know that you and Lord Megatron have my best interests at spark. II will try not to disappoint you."

"You could never disappoint me or my brother. I am sorry that this personal matter has to be conducted so publically but we want to make sure that you are being represented with the best care since it seems that the law is not on your side." Prime said to reassure her. She did feel better and just as Chelsea said, she realized that these large mechs who could end a mech's life with swiftly and aggressively would support and love her. She felt better and she relaxed into the chair. Even if she would be joined to Cliffjumper they would make sure that she was not be hurt again.

"Who else will be here?" Waverly asked curiously.

"It will be me, Megatron, Chelsea, and Barricade. I did request that Prowl bring Cliffjumper." Prime said.

"I do have a request. Chelsea said that he was staying in the brig. It has been over a week and I request that you release him. If I am to submit to him I don't want any repercussions from him staying in the brig."

"I understand your reasons but he will finish his term in the brig so that everyone that knows will have time to calm down. There are those who support you and they might harm him in retaliation." Prime informed her.

"Yes, I didn't think about that. I will do what I can to reassure my friends that I am fine and this is what I want." Waverly said.

"Is it? I mean is this what you want? You have not time to get to know him and in normal circumstances you would have more choices." Prime said. Waverly thought about it and she looked at each person in the room.

"I was interested in him my lord." She hesitantly said and looked down at her hands on the table. "I still yearn to feel him." She whispered softly and Prime leaned in to listen to her as he waited patiently for her to finish. "I am not going to lie to you. I am scared. I am not much older than Shalon and I feel angry that he didn't give me a choice but I am carrying a sparkling that has half of his code and I will not deny my sparkling his sire. I wouldn't want that for any child or sparkling. I see the haunted looks of the children that Cassie cares for. I see their yearning to be a part of a family and I saw the pain and anguish that Jumper tries to hide. If I can give him some stability then I will try to be the best carrier and mate for him and his sparklings." Waverly said this softly. She looked up with tears in her eyes. "I will try to honor him by nurturing his home and giving him the family that he needs to feel whole again." She said brokenly.

Prime was in awe of this little femme. She was so brave and strong and she was everything that Cliffjumper needed. He could see why she fascinated his most loyal mech and he hoped that Cliffjumper would never take advantage of her again. He would tear him apart if he did. He didn't deserve her but Cliffjumper needed her and she was his salvation for the broken spark that had carried him through the war. If Cliffjumper could put aside his stubborn pride then they might stand a chance for love and happiness but first they had to get through this awkward meeting and Prime vowed to make it as endurable as possible.

Prime looked up toward the door as he heard Prowl ping and then walk in with Cliffjumper. He could see the jealousy in Cliffjumper's optics as he looked at the close proximity of where Prime and Waverly sat but Optimus didn't care. His only concern was Waverly.

"Cliffjumper have a seat. Prowl thank you my friend for retrieving him." Prime said.

"It was my pleasure. If you need me I will be in my office." Prowl said and turned to leave. Prime and Megatron turned their attention to the couple as Barricade and Chelsea sat quietly. It didn't help that Barricade looked as if he would kill Cliffjumper if he could get his hands on the mech. Megatron seemed better but was still watchful of both Barricade and Cliffjumper. They did not want any violence because it could possibly cause Waverly to lose the sparkling due from the stress.

"Cliffjumper, we have brought you here so that you and Waverly could talk. If you will respect Waverly then I will leave the two of you to talk, but if Chelsea gives us any reason to intervene than I will lengthen your stay in the brig. Do you understand?" Optimus asked.

"Yes lord Prime, I do and I will not disrespect you or my future mate in any way." Cliffjumper stated and Waverly shivered. She did not realize until just then how serious Cliffjumper was about making her his mate. Prime nodded.

"Very well, Megatron, Chelsea, Barricade, and I will be in the adjoining office. I trust that both of you will be civil." He said as he stood and Waverly's hands began to shake. Cliffjumper noticed and stepped forward as if to comfort and thought better of it. She was afraid. He could tell and it shamed him that he had brought all of this upon both of them. His assurance was meaningless to her and he bowed his helm in shame. She seemed to sense his distress and she looked at him carefully.

"I guess you answered my first question by your answer to Prime. So I am to submit and become your mate." She said as she fingered the data pad near her on the table. She was terrified of his actions even if he had not come near her and yet at the same time she felt excited by him just being in the room with her.

"I have thought this carefully. I want stability for our sparklings. I want them to know that we are a team and a couple. It makes sense that we are bonded." Cliffjumper said arrogantly. Waverly sat there shaking. Maybe she had been wrong to encourage this mech. He seemed so masterful and it scared her on some level that she would be submitting to him in a berth but then she remembered the pleasure and she yearned to feel it again. Chelsea said that carrying would heighten her senses and as he approached her she recoiled into herself and pulled away.

Cliffjumper stopped and looked at the red haired femme. She was shaking and Cliffjumper wanted to take her and hold her in his arms but this was not the time.

"Waverly, I still have to finish my sentence that Prime has dictated. You are welcome to my quarters if it will help you to adjust. I will have your things moved as soon as I am off disciplinary duty." He told her.

"I understand." Waverly said quietly. She wrapped her arms around her as she waited for him to continue.

"I will give Ironhide the pass key and the code to transfer it to you. I also have asked Ironhide to pick up something for you and the sparkling in welcome. I would do it myself but I have not been given my freedom back yet." Cliffjumper slowly approached her. "Waverly, I am sorry for my actions against you but I do not regret what we have created." He knelt down in front of her. "It will do my duty to help you adjust but I want to be bonded immediately." Waverly pulled her hands away but he caught them and held them to his chest in front of his spark. "I give you this pledge that I will honor you and give you what you need and that I will never try to push you into a situation that you are against." Cliffjumper looked her in the eyes and she shuddered from touching his chest armor. It seemed he was waiting for her say something but she didn't know what to say and after too long a silence Cliffjumper slowly got to his feet and let her hands go.

"I understand that you may not want this but it is for the best." Cliffjumper said softly.

"I will submit. It is my duty as the carrier of your sparkling." She told him and Cliffjumper grimaced as her words caused a churning in his tank. He realized that he didn't want her submission but that was how she saw her life and it saddened him to know that would not love him. Both Allie and Prime had warned him and now he would have to suffer the consequences of his actions.

"Do you have any questions for me?" He asked her.

"No my lord." She looked down at her hands. Cliffjumper walked towards the door.

"Then I will tell Prime to set the bonding ceremony in motion." At that she looked at him in alarm.

"I don't' want a ceremony." She said suddenly.

"It is not a request. Prime suggested it to keep peace." Cliffjumper stated.

"No."

"Waverly, it is for the best. Prime has already set the date for when it will occur."

"No! I will not consent to this." She shouted. "I don't care. It is barbaric. They didn't do one for Sarah or Kiki. Why should I have to go through the public humiliation of being bonded to someone I don't even love?" She jumped up but Cliffjumper caught her by the shoulders. She flinched abut he didn't let go.

"Waverly, you need to calm down."

"No! I will not."

"Waverly." Both of them jumped as Prime opened the door. Cliffjumper immediately let go and put distance between them.

"Is everything okay Waverly?" Prime asked as Megatron joined them.

"No! Why do I have to be a part of a public bonding ceremony?" Optimus relaxed when he realized that it was over the ceremony and not something that Cliffjumper was doing that had her upset.

"Waverly," Prime started. "We thought it would help keep gossip down if we had a public bonding ceremony. I suggested it but if you are uncomfortable then I will cancel it." Optimus looked at her as she struggled with her feelings over the bonding ceremony.

"Will people talk if we choose to keep it private?" she asked him.

"They are talking now even with me keeping it on a need to know only basis." Prime replied. She walked back to her seat and sat down thinking.

"I'll agree to it then." She whispered. "I no longer object."

"Are you sure?" Cliffjumper asked and she gave him a condescending look.

"No I am not sure because 'oh by the way' I am giving up my life to take care of your stupid problem!"

"Hey, I don't need this. You could have fought harder!"

"Harder? I think I remember telling you that you were hurting me!"

"And I remember you moaning and begging for more!"

"Enough!" Prime barked and both jumped at the harshness of his tone. "Waverly has agreed to the bonding ceremony so I suggest that you, Cliffjumper, put a lid on it before you boggled this up." Both glared at each other but didn't say another word. It maddened Waverly that he was such an aft at times.

"I apologize Lord Prime and I am sorry Waverly for upsetting you." Cliffjumper solemnly said.

"I am too."

"Get some rest. I will come to you when I am through with my detail. Like I told you before, Ironhide has the coding for the door to my quarters. I suggest you go by and familiarize yourself so that there will be no surprises. Is there any other questions?" Cliffjumper asked.

"No my lord." She replied.

"Then I am ready to return to the brig Lord Prime." Cliffjumper said.

"Very well, Ironhide is waiting outside the door." Prime informed him.

"Thank you." Cliffjumper nodded and left.

"Are you okay?" Prime asked her softly.

"I don't know but I will be." She said. Prime felt for her as she sat there for the longest moment looking so lost and so very young.