Pairing: TFP Makeshift/Arcee, referenced Cliffjumper/Arcee

Rating: Teen

Details/Themes: Impersonation comfort, roleplaying, developing feelings

"Don't you want to see him again, to feel him again?" The shadowed Con purred. "I can bring him back for you as many times as you wish. You only have to say one word and I will make everything okay again just for one moment at a time."

The conflictions in her mind made her sigh in frustration. When she felt a clawed servo rest on her shoulder, she shuttered in both fear and desire. Every time they met, the same question was asked to remind her what she was agreeing to yet she still always said yes.

"Come on Arcee, Cliffjumper is only an answer away."

She knew it was wrong, that he wouldn't be real but what she would give to be with Cliff once more even if it was a masquerade by a Decepticon shape shifter. The delusion of what could have been played throughout her processor like a broken vinyl. It was the only thing she could cling on to.

She turned to Makeshift whose white optics narrowed slightly. "Yes, I want this…"

The Decepticon chuckled, "As you wish, my dear."

Those same optics disappeared as she heard metal and cogs moving around, changing to match the ideal character Arcee wanted so desperately. A minute later, the transformation drew to a cruel silence. The femme held her breath as two familiar optics stared back at her from the darkness. Their illusion of kindness was just good enough where even she thought he was the real Cliffjumper. Of course, the deception could only hold up for so long.

Makeshift…Cliffjumper appeared from the shadows, both horns intact and a sweet smile she could admire forever. "How's it going, Cee? Hope the Decepticons haven't givin' you hell while I've been gone. Your finish is still as pristine as ever. What wax do you use because I need to get myself some of that."

Arcee felt like she was going to cry at seeing his visage again. Wow, the Con really knew how to impersonate another down to the details of accent and charm. Smiling, she ran up to the red mech and hugged him.

"I've missed you so much!" Taking Cliff's helm into her servos, she placed a brief kiss on his lips.

The fake Cliffjumper blushed slightly before swiping her up into his arms. "That's one hell of a welcome. Don't suppose there's more where that came from or are you just gonna gawk at me?"

"I'm debating."

"You may want to make a choice before Prime decides to cut the reunion short. I don't think he ever got over me stuffing party poppers in his smoke stacks. He sought me out in the middle of battle angrier than Ramhorn when you mess his Energon stash. The Decepticons were laughing so hard, I swear we could still hear them from base."

Arcee laughed as she recollected the incident before the three-year hiatus. Megatron was even busting a spring it was so funny. After the giggle fit had died down, she rested her helm on his chassis while he took a seat on the floor and leaned against the wall to place her comfortably on his lap. As Arcee embraced his luxury, Makeshift studied the femme with interest.

He had appealed to her ego and her loneliness out of amusement originally but now he felt actual empathy for the two-wheeler. Cliffjumper was her life support and when he died, there wasn't much for her to fight for. He understood that pain. Being Cliffjumper made him rather fond of Arcee and he had to wonder what would happen if he decided to stay as the Autobot, become the mech his dear femme loved. He could make it like Cliffjumper had never died. Of course, he wouldn't be able to go into the Autobot base without causing alarm. Admittedly, the longer he stayed the deceased Autobot, the more like Cliff he was becoming even in his true form after reverting back. It was like a sign or something.

Cliffjumper was a lucky mech to have someone like Arcee. If it was his choice, he would take her back with him and keep her close forever. He was still a Decepticon at spark so his greed would almost always triumph over what was right and wrong. All he needed was her consent and they could be together.

"Arcee?"

"Hmm?"

"You're not going to leave me, are you?"

The femme sat up with a heartfelt expression, "Never."

Makeshift leaned towards her and captured her lips, rubbing the back of her helm when she responded positively by returning his advances and straddling his lap. The fact that his guise was still Cliffjumper's didn't matter. Even if Arcee was still delusional that he was the real Cliffjumper didn't matter. He was Arcee's Cliffjumper now and that was not about to change anytime soon. At least he could do what the Autobot couldn't.

"I'll always be here for you."

AN: Have you ever heard of a situation where a person loves someone else because they remind them of another or has very similar qualities? This actually exists and it's really depressing to witness. With Makeshift's powers, one would think Arcee would fall in a trace and use him to make everything better.