The first week has come and gone without bloodshed. While Steeljaw and Ramulus remain on-guard, they no longer automatically try to kill anyone who gets too close. By the end of the second day, the new parents started allowing visitors. Just about everyone fawned over their sparkling, especially Fracture's mini-cons and Underbite. While Fracture babysat, Steeljaw and Ramulus attended to some business with Saberhorn and Bumblebee. Only until either Sandstorm or Knockout barges in and calls it quits for the day, and the cycle starts all over again.

Thunderhoof was the only one who didn't go in. He was only interested in making sure Steeljaw was alright. He promised Phantomjaw just before he left that he would look after his brother. Not Ramulus, not the sparkling, just Steeljaw. As soon as he received an update, he returned to his neck of the woods.

Besides, babysitting is the last thing he wants to deal with at any given time. He's met his fair share of big bots who act like giant babies themselves. To be forced to take care of a literal baby… Thunderhoof would rather be stuffed back in a stasis pod. In the meantime, he will keep busy with work. The trouble is, it's been over a year, almost two, and he has no idea what to do.

One of the limits to the Ex-Cons' freedom is that they can't leave Nova Terra, making it impossible for them to return to their former lives.

Thunderhoof could kiss his days in the mob goodbye, but he won't be giving up the title of boss anytime soon. He still wants to command a group – an organization – of his very own, but before he can collect workers, he must figure out what to do.

It is a nice day. Thunderhoof decides to go for a walk and brainstorm. He reluctantly removes himself from his luxurious bed of smoothstone and moss, hooves shaking the brightly lit cavern he called home as he stood. He stretched his joints and followed the front tunnel outside, then scanned the surrounding area, looking for signs of trespassers.

Nothing.

Satisfied, Thunderhoof went on his way, choosing one of the more open paths to traverse, and in turn, avoid getting his antlers stuck.

While much of Nova Terra is similar to Earth, Thunderhoof is just thankful that he doesn't have to clean himself every time he goes out. No organic animals using him as a perch. No organic matter covering his plating, or getting under it in less than appropriate places.

"Miss me?"

Thunderhoof didn't hesitate. He turned on his heel and swung. His fist punched straight through a tree, breaking it in half.

"Woo! Glad I dodged that!"

"I's almost killed ya!" Thunderhoof exclaimed, massaging his knuckles. "Do yous have a death warrant or somethin'?"

"I guess I could have kept my distance…" Phantomjaw trailed, sidling over to Thunderhoof. He wrapped his claws around the taller mech's neck and lifted himself into their arms.

"But where would the fun in that be?"

Thunderhoof scoffed and rolled his optics.

"Yous are so not your brother."

Phantomjaw laughed. He traced a claw along his partner's jaw.

"Isn't that a good thing?"

Thunderhoof pressed their forehelms together.

"For one thing, this wouldn't be happening with him."

Phantomjaw moved his claws and gently cupped the side of Thunderhoof's faceplate.

"You mean you and my brother wouldn't have what we have, even if I stayed away?"

Thunderhoof backed up against a sturdy-looking trunk and readjusted his hold on Phantomjaw.

"Not a chance."

Phantomjaw smirked. He instantly pulled Thunderhoof closer, locking them in a desperate kiss, full of want and longing. It hasn't been that long since they last saw each other, but ever since moving to Nova Terra, somehow agreeing to give cohabitation a chance, and spending countless hours together…

Suffice to say, something has changed within Thunderhoof, and he will forever and always blame Nova Terra for his malfunctioning coding.

"Hoof…"

Then again, he can't really complain, not when he has a certain someone to pay attention to.

Phantomjaw is sprawled out beneath Thunderhoof's crouched frame, a hot sparking mess.

"Hoof, not to cut something as perfect as my homecoming present short, but I think I'm reaching my climax."

It was then that Thunderhoof had a clear enough mindset to notice static currents rippling across his lover's plating.

"Just keep your spark under control and don't merge," Thunderhoof rasped, feeling a charge build-up as his own climax approaches. Phantomjaw hastily nods.

The pair mostly let themselves go, keeping all their focus on preventing the bonding, which could result in an illegitimate pregnancy. It takes an extra amount of energy out of them, but in their opinions, it is worth it. Neither have the time, patience, nor interest in having a sparkling.

How Steeljaw and Ramulus will manage is beyond Thunderhoof's comprehension.

"Ey, by the way…"

Refusing to move as he cooled down, Thunderhoof adjusted his optics to look at Phantomjaw beside him, just as heated and exhausted as he is.

"Did yous see your brother and the bitlit?"

"Not yet," Phantomjaw vented. "I don't know why. Guess I wanted to see you, first."

Thunderhoof snorted.

"Sure it ain't cause you're scared of Steeljaw being angry? Ya know, since you left when you said you wouldn't."

Phantomjaw didn't answer.

Suddenly, his ears perked. He lifted a claw and activated his commlink, listening to the message.

"What?" Thunderhoof asked soon after.

"Brother says he saw my signal reappear and now he wants me to meet up with him," Phantomjaw answered, shakily rising to his pedes. Thunderhoof followed suit.

Together, the mechs drove to the main communications building. Atop a hill on the other side of the forest is where the massive structure stands. Positioned in front are Steeljaw and Ramulus. It isn't until Thunderhoof and Phantomjaw reach the top and transform that they see something small and white curled in Steeljaw's arms.

The mechs stand around in awkward silence for a few minutes.

"So, you're back," Steeljaw stated, optics narrowing and tail swishing back and forth. "Here to stay for as long as you promised, I hope."

"Sorry, brother, but I still have a job to do," Phantomjaw replied as delicately as possible. "Work doesn't just stop, you know."

"Oh, trust me, I do."

Phantomjaw decides not to push his luck and instead changes the subject.

"I see the birth was a success."

The black and white Lupicon looked to his brother for permission. Steeljaw may be upset with his brother, but not enough to refuse him access to family. Cautiously, Phantomjaw approached.

"Aw, they're so small! How adorable!"

At the sound of a new voice, the pup turned around and looked up. Tiny yellow optics blinked.

"Hey there, little one!"

Phantomjaw reached out to rub the pup's head. Ramulus growled, pulling his mate and sparkling close.

"I'm not going to hurt them, Ramulus," Phantomjaw said.

"How can I trust you not to?" Ramulus questioned.

"Ram," Steeljaw warned, flicking his tail tip against his mate's legs. "My brother wouldn't intentionally harm us. He's actually quite protective, though not overly so."

"Are you saying I'm over-protective?"

Steeljaw chuckled. He leaned against Ramulus and lovingly rubbed their helms together.

"For you, I'm willing to make an exception."

"Have you named them yet?" Phantomjaw asked, attempting to ignore the public show of affection in favor of the pup.

"Not yet. We're waiting for her to grow a bit before picking a designation."

"Makes sense. And a femme, huh? Things are bound to be interesting."

"Speaking of interesting…" Steeljaw followed his daughter's gaze to Thunderhoof, who remained quiet and at a distance the whole time. "Thunderhoof, you're the only one left on the planet who hasn't met her."

"Ain't interested," Thunderhoof answered quickly.

"And why is that?"

"Hows about yous discuss whatever you wanted to discuss with your brother and then we can all go back to our day?"

Silence.

"What are you talking about?" Steeljaw asked, looking and sounding genuinely clueless, much to Thunderhoof's uneasy surprise.

"I got a message from you a little while ago. You said my signal popped back up on the planet and that you wanted to talk to me," Phantomjaw elaborated.

Steeljaw opened and closed his jaws, no sound coming out. He briefly turned to Ramulus, then back to his brother and Thunderhoof.

"I didn't send you a message," Steeljaw said. "I didn't even know you were back until just now."

"If yous didn't send 'im a message, then why are you here?" Thunderhoof asked, moving closer.

"Because it's a nice day outside?" Ramulus said, vocalizer tense.

"I hate to say anything, but doesn't this feel a little too coincidental?" Phantomjaw asked.

"There's no such thing as a coincidence."

A new mech makes himself known, with a blocky, blue, teal, and black frame and red optics.

"Figured you wouldn't be one to believe in that scrap, Phantomjaw. I must have misjudged you."

"Doubledealer, what are you doing here?" Phantomjaw gasped.

The newcomer – Doubledealer – laughed.

"What do you think? I'm here for a job."

"You are?"

Phantomjaw chuckled, shaking himself out of his nervous stupor. He took a few steps forward, intentionally placing himself between his family and Doubledealer.

"Of course you are, but if you need help, I'm afraid I can't provide any. You see, I just got back from a job myself, and honestly, I require some down time."

"I'm sure you do. However, it wouldn't matter if I needed help or not, because I know you won't be on my side."

Doubledealer slowly approached the group.

"You see, my job is to retrieve those two for a client…"

He pointed to Steeljaw and Ramulus.

"And you're in my way."

The frontal mechs met halfway and started fighting. At the same time, other mechs were beamed down and rushed in. Ramulus jumped into battle without hesitation.

"Thunderhoof…" Steeljaw started backtracking to the doors.

"No, Steeljaw, I ain't doing it again!" Thunderhoof interrupted, covering his leader's flank.

"But…"

"I said no!"

"Thunderhoof, listen to me! Whatever is going on, I'm certain, without a shadow of a doubt, that it relates to my past, the one I kept hidden from everyone. I kept my old life a secret for a reason, and right now, I can't have you, my daughter, or anyone else on Nova Terra getting dragged into any of this!"

Steeljaw was frantic with desperation, and Thunderhoof couldn't bring himself to deny him a third time.

"Don't make me come save you again," Thunderhoof threatened.

"I hope it doesn't come to that," Steeljaw said, amused despite the situation. He nuzzled his daughter before handing her off to Thunderhoof.

"Use the space-bridge to get off the planet. I don't want anyone to find you guys."

"What about the law?"

Both mechs couldn't believe that Thunderhoof just said that.

"Screw the law! Just get out of here!"

Thunderhoof had no more time left to continue arguing. Steeljaw pushed him through the doors and joined his brother and mate in battle. Thunderhoof didn't move immediately. The pup in his servos whined, reminding him of the importance of escape. He turned and ran straight for the space-bridge. He rushed to activate it, but his servos were unsteady. He could make things worse if he didn't calm down soon.

"Focus, Thunderhoof, focus!" The Cervicon hissed to himself. He pulled a lever and the portal burst to life.

"Finally!"

"Hoof!"

Phantomjaw came running in, panting and leaking Energon.

"You can yell at me for this later!"

Before Thunderhoof could ask what Phantomjaw meant, he shoved him and the pup through the space-bridge. The last thing he saw before he was teleported away was Phantomjaw destroying the control panel just as Doubledealer entered the room.