Hello everyone! If any of you are wondering where I have been for the past month you should know I have still been writing for MERCY, just in MERCY: One Shots. So, if you want to find out what the Autobots have been up to, check out One Shots and figure out who stuck a potato up Ratchet's tail pipe… That may or may not be a metaphor… I have also introduced a new human character to the story named Silvia Bella and I didn't think I would have so much fun with this OC. She will be making a lot of appearances in the fic and I hope a lot of people come to like her as much as I do.

But I bet a lot of people are excited to hear about what fate still awaits our lovable little Vehicon… If we can still call him a Vehicon anyway. More on that later in the story though. I hope this chapter was written well enough to make up for putting it off for almost a month… XD

Special Shot Outs To: Vampgirliegirl, Guest, Gajeel-Rocks, Neko no Kami, LollipopUsagi, Cao dreams in books, and Megatronous. Wow! Another great turn out! Let's see if we can break the record in this chapter! ;}

To Vampgirliegirl, this story will keep going until I reach the end… And that is going to take a while so hang in there. To Guest, still don't know who and/or whom you are, but thanks for sticking with me. To Gajeel-Rocks, thank you for the review, but spoil things for you up here. Keep reading! XD To Neko no Kami, LOL! Another mind reader huh? We shall see… (evilly twists my metaphorical Snidely mustache). To LollipopUsagi, oh my God I love your name so much I didn't use OMG to express it! And once more I have a mind reader but tell you the same thing, I told Neko. We shall see… Mwa! Ha! Ha! To Cao, I hope I have appeased your love for Cass and Soundwave's cuteness in this one! Let me know what you think. Wink! To Megatronous, a new name! Yay! Thank you for the review and I hope I don't disappoint.

Remember! Don't be afraid to leave a review and ask questions. I love hearing from my readers!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any stocks, trades, or licensing from the Transformers franchise. All rights are reserved for HASBRO entertainment.

MERCY

Chapter 22

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you,

Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you.

But in your dreams whatever they maybe,

Dream a little dream of me.

-Dream A Little Dream of Me

By Fabian Andre, Gus Kahn, and Wilbur Schwandt

"Commander Soundwave?" Cass had arrived to the silent mech's personal quarters about an hour after their brief rendezvous in the communications bridge. Although Soundwave had already given the young model permission to enter as he pleased, Cass still felt it necessary to announce himself over the intercom beforehand. For the sweet minded Vehicon, it would be rude not to. "I have organized my affairs as you have instructed. I am ready to be bridged to the Earth's surface."

"Instruction: Enter personal quarters." The telepath answered. "Soundwave: Currently busy. Further instruction: Become comfortable."

"Yes sir." The young model smiled behind his recently repaired visor and stepped into the room.

Soundwave's quarters were nothing grand, but Cass always found the small interior to be very comforting. Even a bit cozy. Though the majority of the room was filled with holo-screens and surveillance equipment, there was still enough space to add a couple of chairs, a small table and a medium sized berth. Just enough to allow Soundwave to get his acquired rest. He rarely ever recharged in it for long so it still looked brand new, and that is where Cass decided he would perch himself.

He now sat behind his Commander and watched him patiently as Soundwave toiled over his desk. After a few moments had passed, Cass finally became curious and leaned further off the edge of the berth to ask the silent mech what he was working on so diligently. "May I ask what your current project is commander?"

"I'm calibrating Laserbeak's GPS system to align with most of the Earth's satellites." Soundwave answered when he pulled back the base of his glass visor. "There are not enough of the proper materials on the ship to reconstruct an operative ground bridge remote. So, if I can link her homing devices correctly, I will have the ability to summon a ground bridge anywhere on the planet. So long as I have Laserbeak close by of course."

"Wow. That will really come in handy if it works." Cass stood and walked over to the workstation. He glanced over the communications officer's shoulder and saw Laserbeak lying on the surface. She had fallen into recharge again, exhausted by the recent turn of events aboard the ship. She was so deep in her rest cycle she hardly noticed Soundwave operating with her CPU. But even if she was awake, she wouldn't really complain as long as her master was the mech doing the calibrations. The symbiote looked so peaceful in her recharge its compelled Cass to reach out and stroke the edge of her wings. He smiled as she quietly cooed from his touch, encouraging the drone to continue his kind petting. "Do you require any assistance?"

"Not necessary. I'm almost finished." Soundwave also smiled. Happy that the young model was still so close by, but the realization that he would soon be gone for, at the most, three weeks once again made him feel nervous. Slowly, he set aside the utensil he was currently using and reached for Cass's servo. His thin digits slid softly over the young model's arm and lightly ghosted to lace with his metallic fingers, but Soundwave didn't make optic contact with his favorite drone. He didn't want Cass to notice the sad look on his lip-plates. The small drone looked over the silent mech and returned the hold on his servo with a sweet sigh.

"Oh Commander. Please don't worry about me." Cass used his other servo to caress Soundwave's back. "I will only be on Earth for a few weeks, and if I hurry, I might finish early and I'll be back before you know it."

"It's not too late to change your mind." The third in command continued to stare off into the distance but clasped his free servo around the small Vehicons' and tucked it under his chin. His jaw line tenderly cradled the tiny hand in a protective manor with a hint of eagerness to just keep it there. For as long as he could. "I was the one called into correct the misfile after all… You can just stay here in my quarters and take a few days to rest instead. I can arrange that for you."

"I appreciate the gesture Commander Soundwave." The drone removed his battle visor so he could meet the third in commands gaze. He smiled sweetly and squeezed his digits intending to be comforting in return. "But I don't mind the extra work and you know I get fidgety if I don't have something to work on. Plus… Um… I could use some time away from the ship." Cass slowly turned his helm away and did his best to mask the tension in his EM field. It took a long time for him to convince his overprotective higher up to let him take this mission, and just as long to finally calm himself.

"Well then…" Soundwave stood and guided his favorite drone to the computer system on the opposite side of the room. "I should probably send you on your way. "Otherwise I will try harder to convince you to stay here… And I don't think the two of us have the time to stand around and pointlessly argue. Just… Please call me the moment you finish. No reason for you to linger if you don't need to."

As always, Cass could rely on Soundwave's sense of logic to win a fight before it started. The young mech couldn't hold back his widening smile, finding the communications officer's predictability to be amusing. They never let go of one another's servos even when Soundwave reached the console and began to program the coordinates to the first energon mine. This made the small drone feel so happy and at ease, so he inched closer to Soundwave's side and leaned his helm against the outside of his Commander's shoulder. Cass cradled Soundwave's forearm along his chassis and hummed pleasantly. "Commander, have I ever told you I love you?"

"I know…" Soundwave blushed modestly. "I love you too young one." He understood what Cass actually meant. He wasn't 'in love' with the silent mech, he just respected him the same way as Soundwave respected Cass in return. The only reason he felt so flustered was because this was the first time, they both said it aloud. What really brought forward this sudden confession? Was it Cass's recent encounter with Megatron? Soundwave's obvious rise in anxiety? Or maybe it was the knowledge that the two Cons were going to be separated from each other for the first time in centuries. It was leaving a heavy feeling in both their spark chambers, so with what little time they had left they did their best to comfort one another.

That time they had left however, was close to coming to an end. All Soundwave had to do was push one more button, and Cass would finally leave. He needed to push that button, but he couldn't. He couldn't move, and most of all… He couldn't let Cass go. Turning his frame around he pulled the young drone close to his chassis and tucked Cass's helm under his chin. Soundwave's servos both tightened and caressed the Vehicon's back soothingly. He wasn't ready to let him go. Not yet…

Cass held his Commander as well, glad to know that he wasn't the only one having difficulty from separating. But even he knew that if he lingered any longer it was going to become harder for him to leave at all. So, he gave the third in command one last hug before he reached for the console himself and pushed the button. There was a brief but drafty gust of air whooshing between them as the bright green vortex of the ground bridge swirled to life. Then the inevitable arrived. The drone and the communications officer would now need to separate. "It is time Commander…"

"Just one more moment." Soundwave whispered and stroked the back of Cass's helm. "Just a little longer…"

"I'm sorry Commander Soundwave… The ground bridge has been activated." The Vehicon leaned back to look up at the higher officers saddened faceplate and did his best to put on a brave smile. "I need to leave… You need to let me go."

Both of Soundwave's servos found their way to the sides of Cass's helm. The taller mech momentarily rested his fore-helm against the smaller mech's, before gently kissing him between his optics. "Be safe…"

"I love you Commander." Cass slipped away slowly, and he slid his visor back on as he walked back towards the ground bridge. "I'll be back before you know it. Please try not to worry."

"I will worry anyway…" Soundwave smiled weakly with his arm stretched out for his favorite drone. But he felt more at peace as he watched Cass disappear into the green void. "And I love you too… Caspian."

That was the last words he heard from Soundwave as he strode more confidently into the ground bridge. He was still concerned for his Commander, but his confidence was greatly replenished. He walked further and further down the vortex with his helm held high and ensured himself that things were going to turn around. Not right away of course, but he believed it was all going to be okay… Until he reached the end of the ground bridge and discovered he walked into a dark void.

"What?" He switched his frame and twisted from side to side. There was nothing all around him, and there was no way he could go back. The ground bridge had closed, and he couldn't contact the Nemesis until he reached the end of the Energon Trail. But was he even at the beginning of the trail?

"Hello?" He called out. There was no reply, so he tried one more time. "Hello? Is anyone here? Anybody?" Again, nothing and it was then he finally realized where he was. "No… No, no, no! Not another nightmare!"

Cass held his arms over his chest, and even though it was already dark he closed his optics in an attempt to shield himself from what was yet to come. "Why?" He cried softly. "Why do I keep having these dreams?"

"Technically, you are having 'my' dream." Someone answered him. The frightened Vehicon opened his optics again. That voice was familiar, but he couldn't remember where or when he heard it.

"Wh-Who… Who said that?" Cass whimpered. "Is someone there?"

"Yes." The voice spoke behind him. The drone quickly spun around but saw nothing. "Don't be afraid. I'm here to help you."

"You…" Cass held his helm as it all came flooding back into his processor. His encounter with Breakdown, the green-eyed monster from his nightmares coming to life, his attempt to rescue the wounded troop, the cave in, and then… Nothing. But before the cave in he heard someone call to him. An unidentifiable yet somehow, familiar voice. "You're… You're the voice I heard reaching out to me… Before the cave in…"

"That's right." Said the invisible stranger. "I manifested myself into your mind, so I could help you save your brethren. I know how important they are to you."

"How do you…? My mind? You're in my mind?" The now very confused Vehicon stood fearfully in the black void, but still searched for source of the stranger. Not entirely believing the voice was just in his head. "Where are you really? What do you want from me? Who are you?"

"I am within you." Replied the stranger. "If you need me, I want to help, and I don't know who I am. I won't know until you do."

"That doesn't make any sense." Cass crossed his arms. He was still very befuddled, but now he was also frustrated. None of his questions had been answered, and he felt like he was being given nothing but a run around. "How am I supposed to know who you are if you can't even introduce yourself to me? And how can you be inside my mind? Are you just a figment of my CPU? Do you even exist?"

"I do technically exist… I just haven't been made aware yet." Still not a straight answer, but the explanation didn't end there. "I know that this is perplexing, but it's just a little hard for me to explain now. But… Are you truly frightened of my presence?"

The violet mech pondered on this inquiry. Cass did still feel a bit fearful of his surroundings but wasn't afraid of the voice. This stranger hadn't intentionally put him in danger. With or without his or her influence, Cass may have run to help the troops and minors anyway. "No, I am not afraid of you. I just don't understand… Who am I to you?"

As soon as he asked that last question, Cass felt a light draft waft over the back of his frame. He turned to face a dark mist, somehow visible in the continuous sea of black. It was the same height as him and took shape of a medium sized Cybertronian. There was no telling if the mist was trying to represent itself as a mech or a feme, but it fluttered as if it was still trying to decide. Then above there were two bright violet lights. They were smoldering in the mist and were clearly mimicking the shape of optics. From the greyish black fog, the voice spoke again.

"Just as I am strange to you, you are the same to me. But I know very clearly… That I need you. If I were to give you a title… I would say at least to me… You are my protector." A section of the mist separated from itself and stretched out towards Cass. Like an arm reaching out with a wide-open servo. It barely touched the drone's midsection, but it loitered over his black plating. "And right now,… The best way to protect me, is to find a way to help yourself."

"I'm in danger?" Cass questioned and heaved his chest; suddenly feeling a strange heaviness on his metal. He began breathe shallowly and even thought he might faint, but he held out a little longer so he could still communicate with the stranger. "Wh-What do I… Need to do…?"

"Search your spark." The voice spoke one last time too him before the mist evaporated in front of him. "Find the one you wish for the most right now and call out to him. I know you want him… Because I am a part of you…" The voice began to fade, but as Cass tiredly closed his optics it whispered one more confusing statement. "And I am also a part of him…"

The little drone could feel he was now alone, but he took the stranger's instructions and tried to figure out whom he needed. He immediately thought Soundwave, but that wasn't right. As much as he loved his Commander, he wasn't the one he felt he needed to search for. Then considering how insane this situation was, he thought maybe a medic would be rather useful right now. But even Knockout hardly fit what Cass was trying to search for. He tried to think harder, even as his air vents began to wheeze painfully. He felt like he was being crushed by an unknown source of pressure, and out of nowhere his left strut began to surge with a sharp ache. If the young model wasn't frightened before, he was terrified now. Cass's air vents were being constricted to the point he felt himself suffocating. The desperation to find the mech he needed was swiftly replaced with the mech he wanted… And he surprised himself with the person he finally called out for.

"Megatron…" He whimpered through a breathless gasp. "L-Lord Megatron… Help…"

Metal clashing against stone echoed through out the long caverns. Breakdown followed them when he doubled back to the south entrance in search of Cass. When the giant regained consciousness and discovered Knockout was unharmed, he immediately became concerned for the young drone. He was nearly at the first fork to the entrance arch before he was alerted by the loud smashing. If memory served Breakdown correctly, the direction the noise was coming from was emanating from a storage room. He followed it on a hunch, feeling as though he was needed somehow, and once he arrived there, he wished he was wrong. Megatron was there before him, swinging his arms in the air and forcing them down onto a solid rock face. The warlord was hitting the stone with so much force that large pieces of it shattered like glass. Surrounding him was a collection of short Eradicons and minor drones collecting as much debris as they could and clearing it away. Breakdown approached one of the drones at the end of the makeshift assembly line, stepping over a large rock pile as he did.

"You drone! What has happened here?!"

"A cave in sir!" The minor breathlessly answered his higher officer but didn't stop moving while rock after rock was rapidly being handed to him to toss aside. "One of our comrades has been caught under the rubble and we're trying to dig him out!"

"Please don't tell me that Vehicon drone Caspian is trapped under that rock sheet." Breakdown frowned.

"I'm sorry to confirm your fears Officer Breakdown, but I'm afraid he is!"

There was no hesitation. Breakdown leapt into action and ran to Megatron's side. "Move aside Eradicon!" He pushed a drone that was scooping away debris with his servos behind him. "I am stronger! I'll be able to move more rock then you!"

"Yes sir!" The tired Eradicon didn't argue. "Thank you, sir!"

Megatron hardly took notice of the sudden switch in positions, but he was in a way, aware of Breakdown's presence. His focus, however, was directed on rescuing Cass in its entirety. His strong servos pierced through the rock and earth as if it was made of water, and for a moment it looked like the tyrant was swimming through it. But even though he was able to dig through the crust so quickly, it still felt like they were nowhere near where the small Vehicon had fallen. Yet nobody in that part of the cavern was going to quit. They all worked so hard that two drones nearly collapsed from the exhaustion, but they ignored all the warning signs flashing in front of their visors and forced themselves to persevere. They were going to save Cass, even if it killed them.

Thirty minutes had passed, and everyone was still working collectively none stop… That is, until Megatron stopped cold. He stood up right and tilted his audio receptor against the crushed rubble in front of him. His optics curiously wide, but unreadable and everyone glanced at one another in amazement. "My Lord…!" One finally felt brave enough to speak. "Has something happened…?!"

"Silence…" Megatron instructed rather calm, and slowly slid his helm down the cracked stone. Pieces of the rock chipped off like thin chalk as he traveled so he had no choice but to close his optics. This however increased his focus and he was happily able to pick up on what he was searching for.

"… Hhha… Help… Help… Me…" A tiny weak voice barely pierced through the remainder of the rock and it was the most beautiful sound the warlord had heard in a long time. "Mmm… Mega-tr… On… L-Lord Megatron… H-Help…"

"I'm here Caspian! Hold on!" Megatron started digging through the rubble again, and hurriedly pulled back the rest of the lose stones. Breakdown eagerly caught every piece of rock that fell next to him, before his hands found their own rhythm and helped his master dig into what was becoming a large opening. Faster and faster their servos dug, occasionally clanging against one another. This was perhaps the only time Megatron would allow Breakdown to get so uncomfortably close to him, because it was on Cass's behalf, and their cramped enthusiasm was rewarded with the wonderful sight of the young model's servo. Its digits weakly twitched outward, reaching for something, or someone to grasp. Without waiting another moment, Megatron clasped the small metallic hand with in his own, but continued to dig with his free servo.

The servo eventually extended to his elbow-joint, then to his shoulder, exposing one of his wheels. It was flat, but that would be the least of his worries if that was not the worst of his injuries.

"… Megatron…" The wispy voice called out a little clearer this time. "H… Help… M' Lord… I… Uhn… I need you…"

"It's alright Caspian…!" The warlord knelt down so he could properly clean the dust from Cass's now exposed optical visor. "As soon as we dig you out, I'm going to take you to the med bey myself! Oh!" Quickly, Megatron switched his comm links over and called the medic he had left not too long ago. "Knockout! Drop everything you are doing and call Soundwave for a ground bridge back to the Nemesis! Meet me in the med bey and prepare for an emergency trauma patient!"

Knockout replied instantly and his vocals sounded wavered, as if he had begun sprinting. "I have already completed my task in the mines my Lord! I'm on the Nemesis now and heading for the med bey for prep! Bring the patient there upon arrival!"

"Very good! ETA between two and five minutes!" Cass's body was very close to being freed by the time Megatron cut off the connection to his comm links. It was discovered towards the end that one of the Vehicon's struts had been pinned under a boulder, but the earth beneath the thin leg was softer so Breakdown was able to dig under it to slide it out. The poor young mech's ped was horribly crushed, but Cass didn't express any awareness to it as his master pulled him out from under his burial. His arms were slung over Megatron's shoulders, but they slid lifelessly to the side when the warlord scooped his arms under Cass's legs. Now holding the small mech princess style, Megatron carefully removed the drone's battle visor with his servo closest to the mask. It was tricky doing it one handed, but he managed to push it aside and let the damaged visor fall to the floor.

"Caspian…!" Megatron whispered oddly tender in front of his troops. Cass's beautiful optics fluttered on and off again in a half haze, and he wheezed heavily. His cooling vents were so clogged with dirt and dust he was having difficulty collecting enough air to clear his respiratory systems. His frame was filthy with mud and earth and littered with multiple dents. Through quivering dermas, the young model tried to speak. His words were feeble, and his sight blurred when he tried to concentrate on his master's faceplate. But once his worried expression came into focus, Cass half smiled in relief.

"Oh… Am I…? Having another flux…?"

"Depends…" The tyrant softly grinned, hardly noticing Breakdown behind him haling for a ground bridge. Lost in the content knowledge of his lover safely cradled in his arms. "Are you having a good dream…? Or a bad dream…?"

If Cass wasn't in so much pain he would've laughed, but he never stopped smiling through his reply. "Well so far M' Lord… I-I'm not having a nightmare…"

Gently, Megatron kissed his small lover right before the ground bridge appeared, and Cass happily allowed it… Oblivious to the many witnesses still in the tunnel observing such a shocking scene.

-END-