I am glad that everyone enjoyed the last chapter and remembered that I like happy endings. I wouldn't leave Raven hanging and I will resolve her issue. I hope that everyone is enjoying the story. I have enjoyed writing this series and I am trying to wind it down a bit. I haven't decided yet if I will write a femme for Hound though I have a few ideas for him since he seems to think all femmes are just alike. I have thought about it a lot lately but if I do he will be the last.

Please take a moment to comment because I love to read them and it makes me want to write faster. Enjoy!

Allie slammed around the cushions and roughly folded up the blanket that she kept on the couch that she used to snuggle with the sparklings in the evenings while waiting for their sire to come home from work. She was still angry that Optimus did not tell her everything that was going on concerning Raven but she also knew that he was upset with her as well. She had struck his brother, the Lord High Protector, and she knew that she would pay for that later when Optimus returned.

Optimus was true in his nature. He had kept both of them from doing something stupid or foolish that would have cost all of them peace, and for that Allie was grateful, but she also knew that she would pay for her lapse in judgment later when he came home and after everything had been taken care of. Raven was sedated and Shockwave would be scheduled for stasis in the early morning. Even as Allie straightened her living area she knew that Megatron was taking the measures to see that Shockwave would know exactly why he was being placed in stasis and that Prowl and Soundwave had made sure that everyone received a memo on the announcement that Optimus would make at shift change.

Allie would be there. Everyone would, and she would make sure that all of the femmes would be there as well. If any could not make it then they would receive a recorded message of his announcement and Allie was glad. Even now, some had come to her concerned and upset about Raven, even Waverly, which surprised Allie the most. Allie told them that they would have to wait until Optimus made his announcement and Mia did not accept that well. Allie suspected that Ironhide knew something was up therefore Mia knowing but she had promised Optimus that nothing would be said until he had the opportunity to talk to everyone together. It was the least she could do since she had been disrespectful to Megatron.

Elita began to cry and Allie sighed. It was typical of the afternoon. She always started crying about an hour before Optimus came home and it never stopped until he picked her up and cooed and clicked with her. Roddy and Orion would whine after about ten minutes while Optronix whimpered and tried to soothe his little twin but she was stubborn and defiant even while still so small and tiny. Allie just knew that her hair was going to turn grey with the little diva but Optimus just played into her little game. Allie's only consolation was that one day Elita would push her sire too far and he would learn the hard way just how upsetting it was to over indulge a sparkling.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Megatron stood at the front of the cell at the end of the brig. He knew that his visit would not be easy and it hurt his spark that he had to do this. Shockwave had always been a loyal officer and it didn't seem fair that this would be the end of a long and fruitful career that Shockwave enjoyed as governor and general of the Cybertronian Decepticons, but Megatron had to protect his family. Shalon was frantic when he met her in the hall. It tore at his spark to see the tears in her eyes as she clung frantically to him. Her words had chilled him because she desperately wanted him to know just how serious Allie was about pulling out of the peace treaty and taking the femmes away from their mates.

"My lord, Megatron, what's going on? Allie called Chelsea and Aura down below and Cassie joined them soon after. Even Shayla left Sentinel and she didn't look happy! You have to stop this, please." Shalon clung to her mate as tears fell softly down her face. Megatron had not seen her cry since he had tried to give her to another mech and it made his spark heavy with pain and grief as he realized how much it affected him seeing her like that. "Please," she whispered brokenly, "Allie doesn't like to make changes but when she does she won't change her mind."

"Shalon, I will not let you go." Megatron promised.

"You don't understand; I am bound to the oracle and what they decide I have to follow. I don't have a choice." Shalon cried out as she pulled her body into his. "She will take us and you will not be able to find us. I have seen her do it before." Shalon pleadingly said. "Megatron, please what is going on?"

"I can't tell you but Allie will not take you from me." He told her gently. "Wait for me. I have to take care of something and then Optimus is going to make an announcement. I promise that it will be alright. Allie is much calmer and we have reached an agreement."

"Megatron, I can't… I can't even bear the thought… I love you so much." She said brokenly as Megatron rubbed soothing circles in her back and Shalon nuzzled his shoulder plate taking comfort in his strength.

"It will be okay. I won't let anything happen to the peace that has been established." Megatron said gruffly. "I love you too." He whispered gently in her ear.

He had sent her back to their quarters along with their sparklings but he also made sure that Soundwave kept an optic on her. He sent Ravage to prowl along the corridor of the quarters and monitor any unusual activity. He was sure that Allie would not make any irrational decisions but Megatron decided not to press his luck or take any chances.

He pressed the code in to release the energy bars on the cell and noticed that Shockwave turned over on the berth. Upon seeing his lord and master Shockwave quickly came to stand at attention.

"At ease Shockwave; do you know why you are in the brig?" He asked standing at his best height to look intimidating. It would always be a part of him from being lord of the Decepticons and no matter what changes occurred it would stay with him to stand at his tallest height.

"No my lord, I am not sure why I have been apprehended." Shockwave replied. The dark one opt iced mech watched Megatron from the corner of the cell as Megatron stared back.

"It seems that some mechs think that they can defy the peace treaty." Megatron said in that soft tone that he liked to use before attacking an opponent.

"My lord, I have done nothing but comply with the treaty. I have worked along with the former Autobots and I have given my best in your honor." Shockwave pleaded as he tried to defend himself. Megatron waved his hand and Shockwave stopped his next round of defense.

"You have served me well through the war Shockwave but now that we have reached a compromise, a peace for the betterment of our species, I have to do what is best now for those that are under my protection. I have claimed the title of Lord High Protector once again and I will not break my vow to the mechs and femmes under me as well as to my family." Megatron stated to his former lieutenant and commander.

"I understand and I have done nothing that will cause misfortune…" Shockwave started.

"But you did, Shockwave. You violated a femme and forced a bond with her only to beat and brutalize her." Megatron stated calmly but Shockwave started to sense an eerie calm about his master and started to hold his hands out to ward off the unsaid threat.

"My lord, she is my mate. I acted as any upset bond mate would react. She needed discipline and I instilled in the importance of obedience. I have done this before for you and you have never questioned my tactics." Shockwave defended which only made Megatron bitter that he could ever use someone as sadistic as Shockwave.

"You cherish your mate…"

"But that is for weak fools. You said so yourself once when you outlawed bonds within the ranks."

"Yes, but we are no longer at war and bonds are what will restore our numbers and build families." Megatron stated. "You have hurt your mate and therefore broke the terms of our treaty."

"But my lord…" Shockwave started.

"No, I cannot allow this. I promised Allie that her femmes would be protected and which is also the reason that I have regained my title as Lord High Protector. If I allow you to go free then I will lose any respect that I have gained with my former adversaries." Megatron told him.

"So I will be incarcerated?" Shockwave asked quietly.

"No, you are to be shelved, placed in stasis, and it was the best that I could do. Allie would not accept death." Megatron said as he looked at his most loyal mech.

"My lord, please! I have served you well." Shockwave pleaded.

"Yes, but you have now placed everyone in jeopardy of losing what we have gained most. No one wants to go back to stealing to survive and I have finally come to terms with accepting my brother's gentle spark without wanting to tear it out. This is the only way. You have until morning." Megatron turned but he felt Shockwave shift; his EM field trying to reach out one more time to plead his case. "Don't! You are one the few that ever had to beg me and I want to remember your loyalty and dedication and not this." Megatron snarled. "It is a shame that I couldn't give you an honorary death but accept that you will remain alive and there is always hope." 'But not much in your case,' Megatron wanted to add but couldn't. It was better to give him false hope since he couldn't kill him.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Allie looked up from the couch that she was sitting on to see Optimus walk through the door. He looked tired and worn; his face showing the strain of leadership, and Allie's spark went out to him as he walked slowly towards her.

"It is done." Optimus said quietly. He looked at her suddenly expectantly and Allie shivered as she realized that he was waiting for her to rise and join him in their berth room.

"I am sorry for this morning." Allie blurted knowing that his next words were to reprimand her for hitting Megatron.

"I know that you are and you had every right to be angry. One of your femmes were hurting and I commend you for your restraint, however, you hit a superior, one that could have retaliated with brutality and you did not think about repercussions or my feelings or that it could have cost our sparklings their carrier." Optimus stopped talking a moment to look at her. "I suggest that you join me and not argue." Optimus said quietly as he held his hand out for her.

"Please Optimus I won't do it again." She whispered. She looked at him and then at the out stretched hand waiting for her to take it.

"Allie, we have been through this before. I will not argue with you where our sparklings may over hear. Join me in our room so that we can finish this." Optimus stated with authority.

"It will end with me submitting to you." She whispered pleadingly.

"Allie don't do this. I have promised Megatron to handle this and he grudgingly allowed me." Optimus told her. "Come, it is not a request."

Allie looked down momentarily before slowly taking his hand and allowing him to lead her to their berth room. She felt his arm encircle his waist as he guided her past the door and then turned to close it. Allie could feel her nervousness trying to claw out and consume her although she hid it from her mate. Optimus had closed their bond and Allie quaked at knowing that she couldn't feel his anger or distress, and she worried what kind of resolution that they would come to. She stood there waiting for him to make the next move, to see if he would exact justice for what she had done to his brother, and she wondered what kind of punishment it would be.

"No Allie I won't force you to submit. I don't believe in that but I will expect you to comply." He told her gently.

"What's the difference?" She asked defiantly.

"It is my hope that you will see and understand that tow hot tempers do not make the best tactics for solving a problem." Optimus replied.

"So once again I am to defer to you and your brother and my wishes take second place." She breathed it out like it was a contagion that needed dispelling before it infected her.

"No you will always have my support but I will not allow you to destroy what we have built because you will regret it. Megatron was stressed that Shalon was so upset and others have come to me all day. You can't threaten whether verbally of telepathically. It creates insecurity and fear in the ranks." Optimus started to slowly walk towards her. "Tonight we go to our berth together with this resolved…"

"…but I will still submit to you." She ended.

"Maybe, maybe not it depends on you." Optimus stated quietly and Allie reluctantly gave in to him.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o 0o0

"Master?" Shalon asked as she slowly approached the door. Megatron stood there just inside and Shalon quickly engulfed him in a fierce hug. Megatron didn't respond at first but then slowly circled her waist with his massive arms. "It's okay. You did what you had to do." She said soothingly. She could feel his restless energy and knew that it was agitating his mood and Shalon knew what he needed.

She gently led him to their berth room.

"The sparklings?" He started to ask.

"They are soundly in recharge. I gave them a simple harmless sedative that Doc gave me so they would not be restless from feeling your thoughts and moods." Shalon told him as she guided her mate to their berth. "Megatron I am sorry that I worried you earlier but Allie scared me. I had never seen her so angry."

"She was angry my love but it will be better. I promise you." Megatron smiled at Shalon but then he noticed something different about their berth. The posts had chains with cuffs at the end and Megatron looked at Shalon curiously.

"I had them installed as a surprise. I thought you would like it." She said shyly but with a gleam in her eyes.

"I hope that they are not for me." Megatron said dryly but jokingly.

"Well yes, they are for you to use them on me." Shalon said playfully. Megatron picked the nearest one up and inspected it. He turned it over to see that it was quite sturdy and then he looked at the other three.

"Just how do you want me to use them?" He finally asked and Shalon smiled. She crawled up next to her mate and kissed him softly on the plate of his lower mouth.

"You place my wrists in the ones at the headboard and then place my ankles in the cuffs at the footboard. I get to be suspended above our berth and totally at your mercy." Shalon smiled up at him and Megatron blinked his optics and then did it again. She was just full of surprises and never once had he grown bored with her. She was fearless and strong and yet small and petit against his massive frame; such a perplexing contrast that kept him guessing and their life full of adventure and surprise. He loved her; it was a simple as that because she accepted all of him.

"You…you are so wonderful." Megatron said it gruffly with static and Shalon looked at him, not just him physically, but looked into his spark. She smiled with all the love and emotion welling up in her eyes and spark and Megatron tenderly smiled as he slowly closed the distance between their faces and kissed her with such tenderness that tears welled up in Shalon's eyes.

They continued to look at each other, holding onto the moment as long as possible, before Shalon took a deep breath. "Well, I don't know about you but I think we need to break these new cuffs in."