Authors Notes- Look what I have here. Another Transformers Prime story. And this time it features the Smokescreen x Ultra Magnus ship. Why? I have no idea if was just an idea that popped into my head one night. And I know, I know a lot of people see the whole Father/son or Teacher/student dynamic with them. But me well..it' rare for me to not see ships everywhere I go. And in this case it's not so different.

And I think they're kind of cute, for some odd reason. So, here I am rolling with it. And just fyi this story WILL have some very adult things in it as the story goes on. So, if you don't like sexual themes among other things (and granted it's not all going to be smutty) then this story MIGHT not be for you. And I'm letting this get on for FAR too long. As you can gather by now I don't own Transformers that belongs to Hasbro. I only own the plot.

Now that we got THAT out of the way here is the very first chapter of How Far We've Come. I hope you enjoy.

Chapter I: Late Night Thoughts

It was late. Most of Team Prime was asleep, no doubt exhausted after a tiring day of keeping Earth and its inhabitants safe from the Decepticon threat. Most of the Autobots deserved it, Smokescreen being one of them. And yet, here he was laying on his berth, staring up at the ceiling, unable to sleep. And Smokescreen knew he would end up paying for it in the morning when he had patrol with Bumblebee. Smokescreen sighed as he moved onto his side, arm resting under his head. He couldn't sleep and it was all because of him. Smokescreen scowled and moved to sit up.

All because of Ultra Magnus. Holding his head in his hands he stared at the wall across from him. Thoughts going back to a couple of days ago when he and the Autobot Second-in-Command had been assigned on a mission together...

It was hot, Smokescreen thought, as he drove down the road, the sun scorching his plating as he did so. And to top it off, he was beyond bored, Ratchet had informed them that there had been some Decepticon sightings. Soooo, where were they?

"It would seem to me," Smokescreen spoke, breaking the nearly unbearable silence. "That the doc is wrong."

If they had been in robot mode he was more than certain that Ultra Magnus would have leveled a glare at him as the SIC drove close behind him. "I have more than enough faith in the doctor." Ultra Magnus said. "The Decepticons should be around here somewhere and when we do-AH!"

Before he could finish his sentence he was blasted in the side, a small group of Vehicons emerging from the woods on either side of the road. Completely surrounding the two of them. A pained groan sounded from Ultra Magnus as he struggled to pick himself. Smokescreen looked away from the Vehicons to rush to his aid. Placing a hand on Ultra Magnus' shoulder, only to have the older mech swat his hand away. As they heard the all too familiar laughter reached their audios. Looking up Smokescreen growled when Starscream moved through the crowd of Vehicons that parted for him.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" The Decepticon SIC stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back, as Smokescreen helped Ultra Magnus to his feet. "A couple of Autobots out for a leisurely drive?"

"Actually we heard it was Decepticon hunting season. So, we figured we'd get on that before it got too busy." Smokescreen transformed his hands into blasters, and fired on Starscream.

The Decepticon let out a startled scream as he leaped out of the way. It was then that Smokescreen saw it, clutched tightly in Starscream's right hand, was a Predacon fossil. Just as Ratchet had said, and it seemed that the Decepticons had beat them t it, again. No matter, Smokescreen thought, lip curling back as he wasted no time racing after the seeker. Just as Starscream was about to transform he was knocked to the ground. The fossil he had the Vehicons dig out while he had supervised, clattered a few feet away from him.

Giving a little whine Starscream scrambled towards it. Only to have the greenhorn stomp down on his back, hard. Making the seeker cry out once more. Wasting no time Smokescreen snatched up the fossil. Whooping in excitement. Finally! A victory for the Autobots! Until-

"Smokescreen! Watch out!" Ultra Magnus shouted, as Smokescreen cried out as a Vehicon fired on him. Knocking him to the ground. Pain radiating from where he had been shot.

As Smokescreen picked himself up off the ground with a pained groan, as the Vehicon in question scooped up the fossil. Only to have Ultra Magnus rush to Smokescreen's aid, firing on the retreating Vehicon as it dropped to the ground. Ultra Magnus rushed to Smokescreen's side, a low growl escaping his lips, as he watched the Vehicon dropped to the ground lifeless at his feet. Before picking up the fossil.

And that was when all hell seemed to break loose, as the rest of the Vehicons opened fire on the two Autobots. Smokescreen crying out, as he fired on Starscream once more, the shot going wide as Ultra Magnus pulled the young rookie behind cover, cursing under his breath Smokescreen peered out from behind the large boulder, firing on a few Vehicons. Taking a few of them out as he growled in frustration. What made things ever worst was he saw Starscream looked like he was about to take off with the fossil in hand.

Something Smokescreen knew he couldn't let the Decepticon get away with. Gunning down several more Vehicons as he darted out from behind cover. Much to the ire of Ultra Magnus, who shouted at him to come back. As the Autobots Second-in-Command stepped out from behind cover, taking out Vehicons and shouting for Smokescreen once more. Oh, the kid was going to get it once they returned back to base. Ultra Magnus thought, as he watched as Smokescreen reached Starscream.

The rookie reaching out and grabbing the seeker by the wrist that held the fossil, and squeezed. A satisfied grin on the rookies face plate as it crumbled to bits at their feet. Starscream letting out an indignant squeak as he dropped to his knees. Taloned fingers scrabbling for the pieces. Obviously not wanting to go back to base empty-handed, and face the wrath of Megatron once more. Only to hear the all too familiar whine of a blaster aimed right at his head. Looking up the Decepticon whimpered and staggered backwards.

Smokescreen smirked down at him. Why Megatron decided to keep Starscream around Smokescreen would never know, but he found the seeker pathetic. Giving his head a shake Smokescreen aimed at the fossil remains, and fired. Turning them to dust. Now if the 'Cons were able to extract CNA from that then he would really be surprised. With that Smokescreen turned his back to Starscream, to him the Decepticon in question was no longer a threat after his defeat.

Hands on his hips Smokescreen looked around the area, seeing that several Vehicons lay motionless all around him. A triumphant smirk on the rookies face plate. Score one for the Autobots, a well deserved victory if he thought so.

However, Smokescreen would soon discover that he made several mistakes. One was rushing off despite Ultra Magnus' orders, something he soon realized as he set his optics on the older mech. Who was visibly seething. Making Smokescreen shrink down on himself, as he mentally prepared for the verbal beat down he would get as he slinked towards Ultra Magnus.

But as he did however, Smokescreen was coming up with his own argument. Wanting to justify his actions to his superior, sure, he knew he should probably keep his mouth shut. If the cold look Ultra Magnus was shooting him told him anything it 'might' be a good idea. Ultra Magnus' eyebrow ridges furrowed, his hands on his hips. However, his stern expression soon turned to one of surprise.

"Smokescreen! Watch out!" The older mech shouted, as Smokescreen whirled around, just as a smirking Starscream fired on him.

Cursing Smokescreen had very little time to dodge out of the way as he was sent flying. Before hitting the ground hard, dirt and debris flying everywhere as he did so. Sputtering he let out a pained groan, as he slowly and painfully picked himself up. Crying out as pain lanced through his back. Looking over his shoulder he growled at the Decepticon, noting that the blasted seeker had actually blown one of his door-wings off. Sparks flying from the exposed wires, as Smokescreen got to his feet. Blue optics narrowed as he watched as Ultra Magnus and Starscream fought. Wincing when he heard him cry out, as Starscreams talons caught him in the side.

Energon spilling from the wound as ultra Magnus drove his fist into Starscream's face. Causing him to stagger backwards as Ultra Magnus continued to advance. Raining blow after blow on the seeker. Smirking Smokescreen moved to assist his Commander only to cry out once more when pain shot through his knee. Looking down he saw a large crack in his knee armor, energon leaking from it. Biting down on his bottom lip he struggled to his feet. Only to drop to his knees once more. Sighing the rookie decided it might be best not to aggravate his wounds further. Besides it looked like Ultra Magnus had ol' Screamy on the ropes, as the seeker collapsed onto the ground in a heap. Smokescreen whooped in victory, fist raised above his head. His smile soon disappearing when Ultra Magnus turned his cold gaze to him once more, lip curled in a sneer.

Oh, he was in for it now. He thought as he tried to make himself smaller as Ultra Magnus approached him. Silence permeated the air between the two, as Smokescreen forced himself to meet Ultra Magnus' gaze. A feat that was far harder than he expected, as the older mechs optics blazed with anger. Forcing Smokescreen to look else where. Gaze settled on Ultra Magnus' chest. Noting that Starscream had managed to do a number on him as well. Energon dripped from the various gashes in his armor, most noticeable, however was the trio of claw marks marring the right side of his face plate.

Smokescreen opened his mouth to say...something, when a sound caught his attention. Looking away from Ultra Magnus, Smokescreen watched as Starscream slinked away through his ground bridge. Perhaps they should do the same, after all, their work here was done. Opening his mouth once more he was once again cut off when Ultra Magnus spoke.

"Ratchet, we require a ground bridge. And," He continued, glancing at Smokescreen, giving the rookie a once over, making him squirm. "We also need medical assistance."

And before either of them could utter another word, the familiar and more than welcome swirling green-blue vortex appeared before them. The two looked at each other before heading through it, Smokescreen needing a little assistance from Ultra Magnus. The two were soon greeted by Optimus. A faint smile etched on the Autobot leaders face plate, that soon turned to concern when he saw the damage they had both sustained. Ultra Magnus was dripping energon onto the floor, thought not like Smokescreen was much better. He was holding his severed door-wing, while leaning somewhat heavily on Ultra Magnus. Safe to say the two of them looked like scrap, and as Optimus moved to help the two Autobots. The Autobot leader draping Smokescreen's arm over his shoulders as he guided the two of them to medbay. Smokescreen certainly felt like it.

"So," it was Arcee that spoke, causing Smokescreen to look to the femme. "Did you get that fossil?"

"W-well," Smokescreen murmured, rubbing at the back of his head, looking sheepish.

This time it was Ultra Magnus who spoke, anger tinting his voice as he glowered at Smokescreen, who shrank down once more. Causing the younger mech to turn his gaze to his hands, that were clasped in his lap.

"We would have," Ultra Magnus said, glaring as he hissed through his denta. "If Smokescreen hadn't rushed off, and put himself in danger."

At this Arcee huffed, optics narrowed as she looked to the rookie, not surprised by this at all. "And let me guess." She said, looking to Ultra Magnus once more. "Due to the kids recklessness you lost the fossil?"

"No!" Smokescreen snapped, glaring at Arcee, not seeing the harsh look Ultra Magnus shot in his direction at his outburst. "I prevented Starscream from getting his hands on that fossil."

"Soldier-"

"And if I had 'not'," Smokescreen continued, leveling a glare at Ultra Magnus. "Then the 'Cons would have more CNA to create more Predacons. Amd let's face it we have enough trouble with the one we have breathing down our necks constantly as is."

A low growl was Ultra Magnus' answer as the young mech continued to glare at him. His own blue optics narrowed as the room fell silent. Aside from a chuckle from Wheeljack. The wrecker was leaning against the wall, arms crossed as he watched this. Obviously he wasn't the only one to give the 'Commander' some trouble.

"I'm not sorry." Smokescreen continued, then yelped in pain as sparks flew from his injured back. Hissing through his denta as he turned to glare at Ratchet. "You 'mind' going easy there?' he snapped.

Ratchet huffed and shook his head as Smokescreen watched as Ultra Magnus got to his feet, and took a few steps towards the kid. Only to be stopped by Optimus. The Autobot leader placing a hand on his friends shoulder, shaking his head.

"I think what matters here is this," Optimus said, turning to the other Autobots. "That we succeeded against the Decepticons. However, this is only the beginning, as we speak the Decepticons are searching for more fossils. So, I suggest we get back to work on beating them to it." Optimus said.

And with that the rest of Team Prime dispersed, not before Ultra Magnus shot Smokescreen one final look before walking away. However, Ultra Magnus was 'far' from done with the upstart rookie, as late that very night. As Smokescreen was laying on the bed in the med bay, as Ratchet had just fixed his injured knee and had ordered Smokescreen to stay off of it for a few days. Much to the dismay of the young Autobot, who was itching to get back out there, and show those 'Cons what he could do.

So much for that idea. Sighing Smokescreen knew he should try and get some sleep. But he was just too restless. However, he was soon jerked from his thoughts as he heard footsteps. Looking up he saw Ultra Magnus moving towards him, that same, stern expression etched on his face plate. Smokescreen suppressed a groan.

"Look," Smokescreen said before Ultra Magnus could utter a word. "I'm 'sorry' for my behavior. I knew I was out of line but-"

However, before Smokescreen could utter another word Ultra Magnus pressed his lips to his in a rough kiss, catching him by surprise. And as quickly as it began it was over. Silence permeating between the two mechs, when without a word Ultra Magnus turned away from the confused Smokescreen, leaving him alone once more...

And now here he was, laying in bed replaying the scenario over and over in his head. As he rolled onto his other side. Smokescreen tried to forget what happened. Little did the rookie know was that things would soon get a little more complicated...

Authors Notes- And here is the first Chapter to my Smokescreen x Ultra Magnus story. Sorry, it's not super great, and sorry that a majority of this chapter took place in a flash back didn't know what else to do but never less I hope you like it. And I will try and update as soon as humanly possible. And this is the Exhausted Writer signing off. Have a good day.

P.S. My back is killing me.