(Graduation exams etc. happened, so that's why I was away. Hello everyone again!)

I always have to stifle a laugh whenever people say Soundwave and Mercy are the cute couple of the three because, yeah, sure, they are - for the first 10 chapters at least and then it's kind of a mess. (Those who know know why….)

Anyway, I'm glad you guys find the pairings fun to read! :D

Warnings: I don't own TFP or its characters, I only own my OCs! Sorry for wrong grammar and misspellings!

Chapter 9: Airachnid

…

Crossflare POV

The mess hall was almost full. Vehicons chatted loudly and some even greeted us upon our arrival. Sweeping my gaze over the crowd, I easily spotted the dark armored femme who sat at a table alone, with curious yet cautious stares focused on her. She seemed to ignore the obvious gossip behind her back because she sat with her back straight, her poise confident and her expression unfathomable.

"Whoa. Am I the only one getting the vibes of a queen?" Halo commented behind my back and I shot a disapproving look over my shoulder.

"Let's act normal and be nice. We shouldn't get on her bad side, so try to behave."

Mercy looked doubtful but nodded and cast her gaze down as she and Halo followed me. We brought over a few glasses of energon for ourselves. The femme looked up when we stepped to her table and I asked politely, hoping that she was up to some company:

"May we sit with you?"

She chuckled darkly but gestured invitingly as if looking forward to talking to us. Is this a good or a bad sign? She was hard to read, mysterious, and I couldn't help but be cautious with my first impression on her. Decepticon femmes tended to be twisted personality-wise. The bad kind of twisted.

We all took seats on the opposite side of the table and I saw Mercy squirm uncomfortably, her gaze wandering everywhere but in the direction of the new femme. They had already confronted each other and by what my friend had told, the femme was not really amicable.

"I think we haven't met before," I started with a small smile just to ease the tension and my optics focused on hers, keeping them from threatening any of my friends, "I'm Crossflare and my two amica enduras are Halo and Mercy. "

The femme took them in with a quick glance as she placed her glass down. Then her optics returned to me.

"I'm Airachnid. And pardon my bluntness but none of you look like you've ever killed anyone."

Her harsh answer made us all flinch with her raw choice of words. Simply as that, she expressed her disdain. She thinks we don't fit the image of a true Decepticon. I can't deny that she is right.

"Is that a problem?" Halo dared to deflect, almost looking offended.

"In a war? Yes. It makes me question how you've gotten here and remained unscathed so far. A Decepticon unable to kill is as good as a dead bot," Airachnid supplied with a soft yet dangerous smile. The tone of her voice sent an uncomfortable chill down my spine. She was already pushing us into a subservient position just by having small-talk. This femme was testing our positions. She wanted to know if she was to play dominant or stay put. Both options depended on how we handled this meeting.

"That story is rather complicated to tell. But I can assure you that we are here with permission, we are accepted and we are to serve the cause in spite of appearances," I sipped my drink, my gaze intently on the femme, who batted no optic and only smiled more.

"I see. Didn't intend to make you feel agitated," she tapped a claw on the brim of her glass, paused, then continued much softer than before, although all of it felt only like an act, "What are your functions?"

"Mercy is Soundwave's assistant, Crossflare is a chemist and I am to be the best femme warrior ever lived," Halo answered instead of me and I appreciated her boldness this time. She would not bow to anyone she didn't choose as her own boss. If tested, her rebellious nature like an emergency protocol took over and she would fight back, making it known that she was questioning the righteousness of forced authority, no matter where it came from.

"Warrior? You don't look like one," Airachnid chuckled in amusement, much to Halo's annoyance.

"I will. Soon," my friend leaned closer, her optics beaming with resolve.

I can't say our first encounter with the new femme offered any insight to who she really was, but we most certainly had our first impressions, none of us considering it positive. Airachnid was observant and curious, so my instincts told me to be cautious when around her and watch my choice of words. After our rather short exchange, I noted that we held to our dignities and stood up for ourselves, even though only as a team.

Individually, we will all have to make her know, we are equal to her and nothing less, nothing more. Worries already surfaced when I thought of Mercy. She had been silent and shy all through our conversation which wasn't a good introduction from her but at least Airachnid didn't bring up what she had accused my friend of the first time they met.

Airachnid supposedly knew what Mercy was. Or rather what she was originally meant to be. I had every right to be nervous and concerned about a possible scenario where my friend would figure out things I've purposely kept from her since eons. How I managed to be silent for that long was a mystery itself. It weighed on my spark and the longer I held the secrets back, the more I hated myself for doing so. But I made a promise, I had a duty, and I wished there would be a way to protect Mercy in her innocence.

Primus, I feel like things will catch up to me sooner than I would like them to.

Halo POV

"I don't trust her," was all Starscream muttered and I felt satisfied hearing that. I would have taken Airachnid's approach towards him a personal insult, not to mention if he shared interest. Fortunately, the new femme was not a popular individual in the ranks and by the way the Seeker uttered her name I could tell he was far from being fond of her. Was I possessive? Maybe. But I quite enjoyed the monopoly of being Startscream's most loyal and secret ally, a position I grew proud of and the more he shared his views with me the more eager I became to be a part of anything he was plotting.

Then Airachnid crashed into our lives unexpectedly and tension grew in the air. Mercy was afraid of the femme for a good reason and I could already see how the spider picked at her. Crossflare tried to appear friendly as long as Airachnid hadn't crossed any lines. I felt irritated though when I caught Knock Out flirting with her as well which Airachnid shook off just as coldly as my friend did. This mech had a very hard time lately, having the only two femmes in existence who weren't interested in him on board.

The Vehicons I had everyday chat with also confirmed their ambivalent feelings concerning the new femme. Some of them looked at her in awe, interest or disgust. All opinions differed and I couldn't determine how to categorize the femme in my helm either. Then I decided to simply judge her in one way: was she threatening me and my position? If yes, then she was a foe.

After Starscream's clear announcement of not trusting her, I noted that she wasn't a threat. For now. And I grimaced at the thought that I was seriously worrying about such things as my position beside the Seeker. It wasn't that important but after some Vehicons remarked how the Commander seems to favor me over others I began keeping our alliance at high regards.

"Do you know her?" I casually leaned back in my seat across from him and Starscream's optics shifted to look at me before his gaze returned to the datapad in servo which he had been looking at for some time now but hadn't gotten anything done yet. We were in an empty conference room, lengthy and oval with many seats and a large screen in the middle for everybody to see. The Commander had a habit of coming here when there was something on his mind which I came to know by following him around when I had the time.

"All I know is that she is a sadist and an expert of that," he grumbled, emotions barely existent in his voice except venom.

"Well, that explains the dark and twisted aura she carries," I commented casually, "No wonder no one likes her."

For a moment he paused, observing me quietly and I raised an eyebrow in a questioning manner.

"Don't be so cocky. I do not trust you either."

His words practically punched me in the face.

I frowned in offense.

"Take that back quickly!"

An amused grin crept onto his face as he realized how his words upset me, then he turned serious all too suddenly before I could make a scene and demand that he correct himself.

"I'm not that naive. We might be allies but I never trust anyone, not even those who pledge loyalty to me. Many had done so and let down. Primus knows I don't even trust my own shadow on the wall even though it never leaves my side."

"Good to know," I growled and stood up abruptly, although aware of the fact that my anger was meaningless. We hadn't known each other for a long time, loyalty must be proven, promises must be put at trials.

Trust is a fragile bond. With Starscream, it will be quite a feat to achieve.

I left him in the conference room and my only regret was that I couldn't slam the door like humans do in the movies.

Mercy POV

I nervously stood at my post, trying to focus on watching the data Soundwave was downloading to the datapad in my servo, but there was that certain gaze on my back which made it impossible to concentrate.

Airachnid, who curiously watched everything we did, hasn't got a specific position yet, so she killed her time here, annoying us with her presence at the bridge. Vehicons didn't seem to mind her though, they considered her air unless she spoke to them.

When I left Soundwave's side at the main computer to hand the datapad over to an already waiting Vehicon and passed on the instructions, Airachnid grabbed the opportunity to step over to me.

"What was your designation again?"

I shyly looked down at her, trying to remind myself that I was taller and had nothing to be afraid of because she hadn't got authority over me. Yet her optics demanded respect and fear, forcing me to believe she had the control.

"M-Mercy..." my voice quickly trailed off.

"What a soft name for a Decepticon," she smirked, "Never thought of changing it?"

"No. I like it," I admitted, now starting to feel ashamed. In her optics, I was just an inexperienced youngling, probably useless to the cause.

She huffed in amusement and looked over to where Soundwave stood, busy as ever with all the tasks he had to perform. I should head back and help him, but Airachnid held me firmly in one place with her intense gaze and invasive questions.

"You are afraid of me, aren't you?"

Opening my optics slightly wider, I couldn't help but nod and bit into my lower lip when I realized my mistake.

"No need to be. We are on the same side, fighting for the same cause, are we not?" there was a mischievous glimmer in her optics which I couldn't put anywhere so I nodded again, casting my gaze down.

"You wish to return to Soundwave?"

"Yes, I have plenty of work to do," I answered quickly, making her chuckle. It seems I just confirmed some theory of hers because she looked oddly satisfied with my answer. Her observant nature made me feel even more uncomfortable and aware of my every single misstep and mistakes.

"Isn't it troublesome that he never speaks to you?"

For a moment I turned my head to look at him, his posture statue-like as always, attention on the screens, nothing distracting him. As hard as it was to get his point across sometimes, I think I could understand him most of the time.

"I like his silence," I responded with a small smile, gathering some courage, "He doesn't say much and he communicates only what's important. That is not a bad trait. Sometimes actions make a greater impact than words."

To my remark Soundwave stopped typing and tilted his head in our direction, now listening intently. Airachnid noticed and exchanged a look between me and him, her mouth curling upwards in a knowing manner.

"Oh, look at that. You've got his attention," she commented with a hint of mockery in her voice.

She kept her gaze on me when I slowly backed away with a short excuse, returning to Soundwave with a small relief. He focused his attention on the task in servo once again, not asking anything.

Crossflare POV

My frame felt a lot more relaxed as I laid my back against the wall, my attention on the soft sponge in my servo, rubbing it over my arm as my mind felt turned off for a while.

The water was hot and cozy as it sprayed from up above me and prickled my armor, streaming down along its curves.

Beside me, Mercy and Halo also enjoyed the warmth of the shower which we had to share. There were no private wash-racks on board except for one and Lord Megatron had it all for himself. The big room we now were in could give place enough for at least twenty cons, maybe even thirty if crowded together. The stations were barely separated from each other and there were no walls or panels in between in order to provide more space for larger cons. There were two walls in each wing of the room, stations on each side of them with panels to place armor on if somebody wished to shower without outer plates on.

"Get out! Get out! All mechs out!" the first time we came, Halo was the one to throw the Vehicons out of the room. Reluctantly, but all of them left and Mercy placed a magnetic board on the door with a clear warning not to enter on it.

Fortunately all mechs learned to leave whenever we showed up, except Starscream. He was the only one who had the whole room for himself when he showered and nobody dared to enter until he exited. It was an unspoken law the soldiers all knew well and they warned us as well to keep away from the wash-racks when Starscream is inside. He preferred to shower completely alone.

Strange, given the habit that almost no one showered alone. It was a custom we brought from our home, since no one can clean themselves properly without additional help.

There were days though when we arrived to the wash-racks at the same time as a few others and a small quarrel started about who should enter first and who should wait outside.

Today was one of those days a day and the two who wished to join in was Knock Out and Breakdown, intent on ignoring our need to be left alone.

"Don't be so shy. We will be on the other side of the room." Knock Out tried to compromise but to our luck, Halo wasn't taking any of it.

"No!" her firm answer and piercing optics seemed to convince them, "Dare to come in and you are all dead like scrap!" she snapped and left no choice for the two mechs as the door closed behind us, shutting them outside.

"Oh, and don't let anyone in!" Halo called after them loudly and they mumbled something incomprehensible from the outside. Since then we had peace and nobody disturbed us.

"I've been wondering..." Mercy, who was rubbing Halo's back with her sponge, suddenly spoke up and Halo looked over her shoulder with a questioning expression.

"...about how the Autobots are doing?"

We exchanged puzzled glances, not sure about what to say. In here, hopefully no one was listening in, but who knows. We had to watch how we spoke about the supposed 'enemy'.

"I'm sure they have already figured out what happened to us and would do anything to contact us," I spoke after a brief moment of silence, drawing attention from the both of them.

"Would we answer their calls?" Mercy inquired with caution, her optics analyzing my reaction thoroughly.

"No. Probably not. It would get us into trouble," I sighed, knowing well that what I just said was not in sync with what my spark told.

"Is it bad that I started to get used to this? I mean...don't...don't you too?" Mercy looked at me with uncertain optics, then at Halo, her voice sounding almost guilty like she had committed a crime and didn't want to face it.

"Hm, I have to agree," Halo nodded thoughtfully and her gaze expectantly hung on me for a reply.

I kept silent. I didn't know. I liked being Neutral. It was peaceful, not without hardships, but safe. Our human companions were more than enough help for us to cope with certain circumstances and it has never crossed my mind that I would ever choose a faction willingly. Now that we actually did it, I still had ambivalent feelings.

But I was resolute in the decision we have made. Maybe a bad one but still our choice. It had its negative and positive sides. We weren't short on supplies anymore, we had absolute protection and work to do and we were among our kind.

And then there was Megatron's crazy attitude, constant other worries I had every day, Airachnid, and of course Knock Out like a bad virus. And I could go on.

In the end - no matter how I looked at it - we didn't belong here.

"For the time being, our lives are tolerable. But let's never forget how we got to this point. Any life which is a lie is not a good one," I finally answered, my words creating a negative atmosphere which immediately soured the mood.

"She is right," Halo sighed and straightened herself, taking the sponge from Mercy and motioned her to turn around. Mercy gratefully opened her wings wide and let her friend rub over their edges, carefully dealing with sensitive parts which made Mercy giggle from being tickled.

I smiled at the sight, like always. When the three of us were alone, I felt a hint of familiarity from our past. It relaxed my spark and momentarily soothed the ache that resided in it. Silence enveloped us for a while, each of us reflecting on what had been said. Then Halo spoke up suddenly with a smile on her face:

"Hey, don't you want to sing something Mercy? You like singing in the shower."

"Yeah, that's true..." our friend admitted with a flustered expression.

"I wouldn't mind listening to your voice either. How about something calm and nice?" I nodded with an encouraging smile. Whenever we were let down or just simply frustrated, Mercy worked her magic on us and everything looked much brighter. She had the talent for making people happy and feel appreciated, loved and cared about. Sometimes I wonder how so much selfless love and devotion can fit in her.

Mercy tapped a digit on her chin, running a few songs over in her mind until her optics glimmered when she found a good one. Somehow I guessed she was going to sing an Earth song. Human music has enchanted her ever since we arrived on the planet and she often remarked how much better humans can express their emotions through lyrics than our kind.

"I think I got one."

"Let's hear it," we returned to cleaning but focused our attention on her.

She crooned the melody at first, picking up the tunes before she actually opened her mouth.

"~I remember tears streaming down your face, when I said I'll never let you go~..." she started, her voice soft and careful.

Halo joined, humming the tune quietly with a smile stuck on her face. My friends sounded quite good together, though I didn't feel the need to take part as well. I just wanted to listen to the. As the lyrics said, I closed my optics and leaned against the wall, letting the water wash over me.

"~Just close your eyes, the sun is going down. You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now. Come, morning light. You and I'll be safe and sound~"

My processor and spark relaxed at once. Mercy, bless your voice and your pure spark.

"~Don't you dare look out your window, darling. Everything's on fire. The war outside our door keeps raging on~"

How true...forget about the war. Forget about what we have been pulled into, willingly or not. Even if only for a few minutes. My thoughts drifted to more peaceful fields and the end of the song came too soon, leaving me unsatisfied. I would have liked to hear more.

Mercy crooned for a few more seconds, then the tune ended and she cast her gaze humbly down.

"It was beautiful," we said in unison, making her even more flustered. But her happy smile revealed that she appreciated the praise. It's funny how she always felt embarrassed whenever she sang for us. As if we would judge her when it never happened. We would always sing compliments to her.

A loud knocking on the door crashed our momentary peace. Breakdown's knock sounded more like banging with that large servo of his.

"Can we go in already? We have been waiting for long enough!"
"Hey, stop it! Behave!" Knock Out's voice could be heard from the outside and for some reason I felt grateful to have him keep his impatient friend in check.
"A moment, please!" I shouted, then hurried my friends who put the sponges away and turned the shower off above our stations. Quickly, we dried ourselves with soft microfiber towels then lined up in front of the door and finally let them in. To my surprise, Soundwave stood next to them, his attention shifting almost immediately to someone behind me. My instant guess was Mercy's direction.

"Oh..." Mercy touched her lips with the tips of her fingers in embarrassment, "How long have you been there?"

Breakdown passed by us while mumbling something but Knock Out didn't move. He chuckled and shot an amused glance over to Soundwave.

"Heh, he has been here the whole time ever since you started singing. Would have gone in unless stopped by us."

I frowned in the mentioned mech's direction, making my disapproval very clear. Must he always show up when it comes to Mercy doing anything in general?

"You have a nice voice by the way," Knock Out winked at Mercy who quickly caught her gaze away, murmuring a quiet thanks.

"You gained new fans, girl," Halo whispered into her audio-receptor teasingly but even I could hear.

Mercy, as talented as she was, never showed off with any of her skills. Whenever new people heard or saw her sing or dance, she would be nervous, fearing that people didn't like it. Feedback usually told her the opposite though.

Uttering a short excuse, I grabbed my friends' hands and led them away from all the prying optics and I shot Soundwave a murderous glare as we passed by him. Mercy turned her head and smiled apologetically, practically erasing my point. I didn't like Soundwave's attention on her nor the way he approached her all the time. We better leave.

"Hey doc, coming in or not?" we heard Breakdown calling out from the room.

"Of course! Hey Soundwave, wanna join us?" Knock Out expectantly looked at the Communications Chief before the silent mech finally averted his invisible gaze from our disappearing figures and entered the wash-racks as well.

Halo POV

Replacing my car engine with a jet one was quite a feat. Knock Out had chosen a fairly powerful one, warning me not to even think about activating it because I had no programming and would go flying all around without wings and ability to keep myself steady. It was funny to imagine that, though I would probably not laugh if any incidents happened so I took the good doctor's advice to heart.

Crossflare checked in to see my progress and she inquired a lot about the whole process from Knock Out who was more than eager to explain everything to her, boasting of his skills during the time. My friend just wanted to make sure everything is going to be fine with me.

I frowned when Airachnid paid a visit as well, unusual for her to show up in the med-bay. Feeling her observant gaze wander over my frame, I narrowed my optics and stared back.

"Do you have something to say?" I asked impatiently.

"Just wondering why you want to become airborne," she walked around the place, stepping to the screens which showed my current data. Why would she be interested at all?

"Maybe because flying in the sky is better than rolling in the dust?" I crossed my arms with a pout.

She turned in my direction and smirked, her knowing optics making me shudder.

"Or just trying to show off in front of the Commander?"

Scoffing, I stared at her with wide optics. How would she even come to such conclusions!

"This has nothing to do with Starscream," I stated firmly, then thoughts popped up in my helm, correcting some of that sentence, "Well...partly...but not really."

"See, I've known," she was satisfied with my reaction and I hated her for accusing me with who knows what was going on in her head.

"I wouldn't change my appearance for anyone's opinion, that's just ridiculous. I do this for myself and because I see it necessary," making my point clear, I straightened my back and stared her down. She has quite the nerve to try her mind-plays with me. She might toy with poor Mercy but I'm not tolerating such behavior. I could only hope she isn't prattling to Starscream about such things. He would think even lower of me than he already does and I'm in no need of that.

"My apologies for hitting a sensitive point," she chuckled darkly and my frown deepened into a warning glare. She was making my patience run very thin.

Knock Out's appearance saved the situation and he questioningly looked from me to the other femme when he strolled closer. He didn't need to ask though, a glance at my sour expression was enough for him to understand and he politely asked Airachnid to leave the med-bay for the time being. The femme left without resistance and I saw a pleased smile at the corner of her mouth, irritating me even more.

To get my frustration out on something, I headed to the training room after I finished up with the doc, and commed D7D6 if he had any mood to spar with me. He helped me out on trainings more than once and we even sparred occasionally to help me put the learned knowledge into practice. At the start I made countless rookie mistakes. But I improved slowly, surely. I had my hopes high.

My fist collided loudly with his elbow as he parried the blow and moved his ped to sweep me off mine. I sprung into the air, barely escaping being knocked off my balance. The next hit came and this time I was late with my reaction and got a small dent in my side. Vehicons, as light-weighted as they appeared to be, could punch quite hard when they wanted.

Continuing our little fight for longer than usual, I noticed a figure from the corner of my optic, standing in the doorway and casually leaning against the wall while watching us with mild interest.

With my attention now drawn away, I was quickly off my pedes, crashing loudly against the floor without time to regain balance. I cursed, touching my back but not reaching the still too sensitive engine which had been freshly mounted on me just hours ago. I shouldn't damage it already, I had to be more careful.

"Are you okay?" D7D6 asked, offering a servo in concern. I grimaced, nodding my head and taking the servo as he helped me stand up.

"That will be enough," Starscream approached, his servos folded behind his back and his always critical gaze wandered from me to the Vehicon beside me, "You may leave."

"Yes, Sir," D7D6 obeyed without questioning, nodding his head to me before quickly taking his leave. I was slightly disappointed but knowing that Starscream surely had something to say, I preferred hearing the possible criticism alone.

After glaring at each other in silence for a few seconds, he made a circle around me, his optics sweeping over every new detail on my frame. I remembered Airachnid's words and convinced myself that I wasn't expecting him to make any positive comment on it. But I could feel his gaze and it sent a chill up my spine. In spite of the situation, I stood still, waiting for him to finally say what was on his processor.

"So you are truly serious," he muttered, more likely to himself as he stopped before me again.

"Serious about what?" I raised an eyebrow, displeased with the way he treated me.

"About becoming a jet."

"Yes I am," I answered immediately, my voice loud and resolute, optics locking with his while searching for questions and opinions he didn't speak of.

"Even if you become one, you will never understand what being created as airborne means," Starscream's expression held disdain but also a certain curiosity and interest.

"Right. But that won't stop me from reaching my goal. I will get used to it, learn everything and soar the skies like Mercy does. Like you do."

His eyebrows rose, mouth slightly parting at my response.

"Do you envy us?"

"I do. Mercy loves the sky and I always wondered how it feels to be so free and limitless. And I've seen you fly. You...look happy when you fly," I admitted, casting my gaze aside.

My words surprised him and he frowned immediately with suspicion.

"Are you secretly monitoring me?"

"No. I just happened to be on the upper deck when you left for a little flight once," I shrugged, avoiding his prying optics, "Like you are the one to talk anyway with you being the one who constantly watches me."

"I must keep an optic on you. Who knows, you might betray me, talk to Lord Megatron or something else," he retorted, his wings perking up like a warning sign.

"If you just trusted me, you wouldn't need to monitor me. I've already promised to shut my mouth."

"Promises are worth nothing to me."

Growling angrily, I threw my servos up.

"Fine! Should I say that too? That what you promised me is worth nothing to me? If you were just a tiny bit nicer, I would actually believe that our alliance exists!"

"It exists, don't speak nonsense," Starscream huffed in annoyance and I bared my denta, trying to hold back a few not so polite things I wanted to throw at him.

"Yes and when will you fill me in with your plans?"

"When I see that you've proven your worth."

Bam. That was it. I had enough of him. Swinging my left servo to punch him in the face with the intention to pick up an actual fight with him, I was quickly halted when he swiftly caught my wrist and drew his eyebrows together in a very disapproving frown.

"And just what do you think you are doing?" he growled, leaving me uncertain whether he sounded amused or annoyed. Maybe both.

"Continue my training session. To become worthy," I spat suggestively, my optics offering a challenge and his mouth formed into a smirk when he twisted my wrist to backhand me, unsuccessfully, because I expected this move and readily moved out of his hold.

"You have to learn more than simple combat moves to take on me," Starscream grinned, charging against me without restraint and I welcomed the advance with full blow. Lets see if my Commander is as good as he boasts of his unparalleled skills.

Sharp claws swiped in my way, known tactics and predictable attacks followed until I realized I was gradually backing off, reduced to defense while not being allowed to retaliate, to move against him or do anything but parry his blows. Starscream was keeping me busy with his untiring strikes, his predatory gaze hunting for all the weak spots of my body and going right towards them without mercy.

Unbelievable how much strength and stamina was stocked in his fragile-appearing, slim frame. Sometimes I forgot that I was dealing with an Elite Seeker and he was probably capable of so much more, handling me proved him no difficulty, I was probably an amusing toy in his vision.

For the second time today, I crashed against the floor, forcing down a curse as I felt my new upgrade sting in pain. I'm really a careless bastard.

"Is that all? You put up no more effort than a sparkling," Starscream triumphantly placed one of his high-heeled pedes on my chest, pushing down just so that I could feel the weight.

"And yet you boast proudly like you have beaten a whole army," I bit back, calculating while he was distracted.

"I do like savoring every moment of victory, no matter whom it concerns," he leaned forward, purring dangerously. That's it, stoke your ego for all I care, it gives me more advantage.

"Triumph never lasts long, believe me," I chuckled, optics locked with his and he realized late what I was about to do. Taking the opportunity that lay in the position he was in, I swept him off his pedes with a quick move as I got up and rushed at him right in the moment he was down.

Now posing proudly above him with a wide grin, I giggled at how he let his ego blind him at the worst of times. Now stuck under me with my thighs holding his sides and arms firmly down and together he could only kick pointlessly if tried to.

"Get off me," Starscream ordered, voice strained and furious. I just buried his dignity once again and he wasn't taking it too well.

"What if I don't?" I pushed my limits just a little bit more but I could already see he wasn't tolerating my sass much longer.

With one swift motion I didn't even have time to register in my processor, he flipped us around and I found my neck cables clasped by razor sharp claws, my wide optics staring into wicked fiery red ones.

"I will make you regret the day you were sparked."

Crossflare POV

A month has passed since we joined the Decepticons and exactly four days since Airachnid arrived. Looking back at our time spent on the warship, I admitted that we adapted quickly in spite of the rather bumpy start. Conflicts were still present which never comes as a surprise with so many individuals stuck under one roof, but with each day passing by I felt this suffocating feeling gradually disperse.

Halo was in the last stadium of her upgrade's installment. Her favorite part just now came: her tires exchanged for wings. I must admit, Knock Out did a spectacular job on her, making most of Halo's weight disappear as her slender frame became more emphasized with the humble curves of a Cybertronian fighter jet. According to his explanations, it was not speed the design was going for but agility.

Watching her change from week to week and adapt to her new weight and body, I saw her determination, the hope in her optics and how she fought to keep it together through the whole procedure, even with her transformation ability forbidden. Mercy was always beside her, assuring and encouraging her, dreaming about their future flights together. I had been against the whole idea at first but now I could see: Halo needed a change. And maybe this all is for her best benefit. I might never get to understand her decision to abandon the land, but I will surely support her if this is what she needs.

My tires screeched in the next sharp turn, pulling me back to reality from my deepest thoughts. Knock Out was driving not too far in front of me, seemingly respecting my need of silence and peace. He had been remarkably patient in the past two weeks ever since he invited me to his drives down on the surface. Although I reluctantly agreed to join him, I actually enjoyed these small tours of ours on various landscapes. We never chose the same coordinates, always exploring new territories while also keeping a sensor out for possible energon readings.

There were times we drove in complete silence, and other times we talked. Mostly he spoke, telling stories about his past, describing his home city and how he left it when he joined the Decepticons. He talked about his years at the academy and even about his experiences as a Decepticon surgeon. While listening to him, I noted how dull and gray my life appeared now compared to his. Knock Out had traveled a lot, had seen many things and had met many people. He never went into too much detail but it still surprised me how open he was to tell such things. After a while I started to feel the urge to share something of mine as well, but what could I say? Nothing of great interest came to mind and I didn't like to talk about my past anyway.

Like always, he was curious and had many questions. But he learned of our previous conflicts, so Knock Out chose to drop topics I wasn't keen on answering and I felt grateful for that. I had many questions as well, but many of them never left my mouth in his presence.

"Breakdown do you have a sec?" I grabbed the opportunity a day ago when Breakdown and I coincidentally had a break at the same time and I sat him down with me in the company of some energon.

"You don't wanna start messaging again, do you?" he narrowed his one optic and I shook my helm with a small smile. Messaging through him was a silly thing we did I must admit, but the bruiser managed to gain my trust during that time and now I felt like I can rely on his opinion.

"No, I just want you to help me...see things in the right context. Your friend has been on my tailpipe ever since we 'made up' and while he hinted at things, I'm still not sure about what he wants from me."

Tapping my fingertips on the table, I looked up at him with my optics filled with hope. Maybe he can offer some insight into Knock Out's true motives. Breakdown also drummed his digits, holding my gaze in deep thought before opening his mouth to answer.

"He likes you, I guess."

Well, this wasn't the answer I expected.

"Okay, but why? I gave him plenty of reasons not to," I scoffed, finding the idea ridiculous.

"Look, I'm not an expert at this sort of thing but I know Knock Out. He wasn't that fond of you back then, but I guess you just grew on him. He has been obsessing over you ever since you put up that tantrum the other day. Dunno why, doc is weird sometimes," Breakdown shifted and shrugged a shoulder, gulping the content of his whole glass down at once. I sat stiffly and listened with growing concerns.

"I told him to give up many times. What his goal exactly is, no clue. He had never pursued a femme this long before."

Pulling my mouth into a frown, I knew my spark jumped slightly, but on the outside I was still calm and collected, reflecting on his words one by one.

"You mechs have no taste."

We both laughed at that, a short but sincere laugh.

"You might be right because I find Airachnid attractive and don't even know why," he admitted, taking me aback with such a confession. I stared at him with my mouth slightly agape to which he embarrassedly scratched his chin.

"Um, yeah, I know..."

"No, no, it's fine. It just...surprised me," I assured him, now immediately canceling my idea to tell him to make Knock Out pursue Airachnid instead of me. These mechs surely had weird taste.

My conversation with Breakdown left me with fewer but still heavy questions in mind, my spark restlessly pulsing in its chamber whenever I recalled his words. He admitted he was at a loss as well, unable to understand his friend's strange behavior lately. He also mentioned that Knock Out always preferred the 'easy catches' and never really put great effort into seducing a femme.

"You are an exception and probably in every way."

I tried to see things from the perspective Breakdown told me but I still failed to understand why Knock Out would treat me differently. It just didn't make sense to me.

"Up to a good race, sweet cherry?"

Knock Out's hopeful, purring voice grabbed my attention and I sped up, closing the distance that had grown too large between us while my mind drifted away.

"Now? Where? And...you just gave me a nickname?" a soft tremor buzzed through my circuits when his engine roared in response, escorted by a deep chuckle.

"I picked up a radio transmission. There is a race a mile away on a new road. It leads up to the mountains and it would be worth it to check it out. And yes, I just gave you one. Don't you like it?"

Grumbling to myself, I forced down a rather unpleasant reply and only huffed instead.

"It could be worse."

Knock Out laughed, once again driving my sensors crazy. If he keeps on doing this I will consider just simply turning around and asking for a ground-bridge. But I couldn't deny that the opportunity of listening to his powerful engine being on fire sounded way too tempting. A guilty pleasure I couldn't help.

The new-built road was smooth under my tires and I noted that it ascends to the mountain in a spiral. A dangerous place for a race. If not focused enough, one can go flying off in a badly taken turn. There was a fence on the edge but it didn't convince me of its security and I thought my decision over once more.

A few cars joined us and we all rolled into the circle of the awaiting human cars and their owners at the foot of the hill. The environment felt familiar, thanks to that one time Knock Out took me on a race of his. Few admiring gazes followed my company's arrival and I received disdainful looks, some whispering among each other what the heck did I want with a car type like mine here. I could somehow understand their bafflement. The type of my alt-mode was an average car, not a turbo-speed-demon like theirs which were upgraded with all kind of stuff and patterned paintjobs the humans considered 'cool'.

"I still feel nervous," I spoke quietly through our comm-link, keeping close to him which didn't go unnoticed.

"No need to be. I will keep an optic on you. If you are in trouble and stuck behind, call me" Knock Out assured me, surprising me with how he really meant it.

The start was rather rough, louder than the last time, and my spark pulsed in nervous excitement when all the cars shot out of their places. My intention was to stay behind Knock Out but a peculiarly aggressive driver cut in my way and took over the lead with a furious screech of tires. The vehicle itself was bright azure blue with green stripes and highlights, giving it an exotic, yet conventional look, especially with those neon-green framed rims.

Knock Out noticed the opponent who was driving like a tank, not acknowledging anyone's safety whatsoever and the medic took it as a challenge, eagerly showing the human who dominates this track. I let out a displeased huff, reminding myself of the fact that mechs were just mechs and they would always try to show off, even at dangerous places like this.

The constant turns finally stretched into a somewhat straight line, giving a chance for a quick speed-up and every car pushed ahead. I grabbed the opportunity as well, accelerating ahead to catch up with the front two. Then I noticed something and I commed Knock Out in horror:

"Watch out, he is closing in from the side!"

Knock Out growled in response, well aware of the danger the human was trying to put him into by forcing him to the edge of the road. If the medic slows down, he would be able to get out of the situation but the other would gain advantage. If he accelerates, the crazy driver might bump into him to hold him back. But Knock Out wasn't going to slow down, I knew that. He was too vain for such a move.

Fearing the worst, I accelerated, still lagging behind but getting closer, until the road curled into a sharp turn and Knock Out's rear scraped the blue car's side who was unable to pull away in time.

"The jerk deserved it," satisfied, Knock Out shifted his rearview mirror to see the fuming human in the car. I couldn't feel any sympathy for the driver, he was the one responsible for that injury. Next time try not to cheat.

The rest was a descending hill and our blue racer company couldn't make up for the distance he had lost while throwing a tantrum about the scar on his vehicle and Knock Out easily won the race with a black car in tow, then with me as a third.

My engine purred with satisfaction and I shifted gear as I tried to get around the people and roll up to my only Cybertronian companion who was more than proud to show off and boast in the light of his victory.

The blue car turned up from nowhere and sharply cut Knock Out's way, forcing him to pull the breaks immediately. A relatively young man, maybe in his twenties, got out and some of his friends from the group of humans joined him, checking on the damage of his vehicle.

Oh, I started to suspect where this thing was going to escalate, especially when the furious man made his way up to Knock Out's hood, pointing an accusing finger at him and demanding the 'driver' to get out and pay.

"How pitiful, isn't it?" Knock Out chuckled, amused by the sight of the small angry creature, whose fury looked petty in his optics, "These puny fleshlings wouldn't have such a loud voice if I showed them my true self."

"Don't you dare," I hissed, my spark picking up a quicker pace. Revealing our identity and hurting these humans hadn't been on our to-do list of the day.

"Nah, I have handled worse, I won't do anything..." Knock Out's sentence was interrupted when one of the men handed a thick wooden stick to the hysterical one and he didn't hesitate to swing it and hit on the medic's hood.

Oh my... He shouldn't have done that.

Knock Out instinctively reversed, yelling a loud 'hey!' before the stick went flying against his window, a loud crack followed. The humans in the background either cheered or shouted stop, and I quickly realized that the mech wouldn't leave this without revenge. Feeling as my own anger seethed through my tubes, I rolled into action and pushed against the crazy man, sending him to the ground with a painful yelp. His friends ran to his side and he stared at me in shock and fear, seeing how I wasn't about to stop at that.

"Get lost you damn cheater or I will roll over you!" my window lowered and my holoform shouted out in rage, making my point clear by loudly revving the engine, a threat and a warning at once.

"He started it! Look at my car, look at what he has done!" the man still had the balls to argue with me but I wasn't having any of it and I advanced aggressively once more, making him and all of his friends get up and run scattered.

"Lets go," I commed the dumbfounded Knock Out and he followed me without resistance until the upset people were left behind, their tiny forms disappearing in the distance.

There was a thick silence between us for moments longer before Knock Out chuckled in amusement, a reaction I didn't expect.

"My, my, what has gotten into my sweet cherry?"

"That bastard almost pushed you off the road and then cracked your window. I am surprised you are not the one throwing a tantrum!" I scolded him angrily, still feeling the urge to chase that human up the hill. I might have a soft spot for these fleshy creatures but jerks are jerks no matter what species and they never escape my wrath. There are no exceptions.

"I'm capable of protecting myself, you know."

Why was he so amused by all of this? There was nothing funny here!

"I know. But if I let you take revenge, you would have killed him."

"Can't argue with that. My window is ruined," Knock Out dramatically huffed as he caught up to me.

A portal opened down the road, requested by him, and he shot forward with newfound strength, engine roaring, practically pulling me with himself as I accelerated to keep up.

This event made me really upset. But I had to admit that racing was not that bad afterall. There was a certain thrill it offered and I just loved this sound.

Thanks for reading, really sorry for the wait but regular updates are coming back! Don't forget to leave a comment or review!

See ya all next time!