I meant to update this, what? A month ago? plants face into desk I'm such a bad updater. Uwaa Sorrrry, I've just been busy, Between work, being tired, and my muse packing up for warmer climates, it's been tough to get this updated. I'm sorry, peoples! Thank you for being so patient and leaving all the really cool comments. hugs all It's a big encouragement. Well, go on and enjoy the madness which was my mind :P

Fanatical Delusions part 3
by AosakiKeiko

Red Alert couldn't take this for much longer, he couldn't stay within the Ark and under the constant scrutiny and ridicule of others. He didn't know how his encounter with Starscream leaked to the others, but all the joking and teasing was becoming downright disrespectful. Not everyone was joking about him, most were actually very supportive toward him, but still, one would think that the rest would have the decency to contain their cruel jokes and just let him be. Sure, they may be having fun at Red Alert's expense, but some just took it too far.

The last straw was when he heard a roar of laughter coming from the rec room. He peered inside in time to see Smokescreen get up from his seat and say, "How much do you want to bet it happened like this?" He turned with his back to his audience, wrapped his arms about himself in a strong embrace, his hand on his waist and the back of his neck. Moving his hands about himself, he said: "Oh Starscream, you're such a better lover than Inferno! Kiss, kiss, kiss!"

The room erupted into whoops, cat-calls and whistles. Red Alert pulled back from the door and stood within the corridor, his back against the wall, hands over his audios, trying to drown out the laughter. He could still hear them. He could hear Slingshot and Air Raid poorly acting out their version of what they think happened, then he could hear the twins shouting lewd remarks, half of which Red Alert couldn't begin to comprehend. He dragged his hands over his face and inhaled a deep calming breath to cool his circuits. They may be able to carelessly joke about what happened to him, but Red Alert could do no such thing. A mech could only take so much of this.

He turned and bolted down the corridor and as soon as the exit came into sight, transformed and sped away. He ignored his usual departure regulations and curfew policies and simply drove out into the night, cutting off all communications.

A few hours alone was all he wanted. Very rarely had he ever allowed himself the privilege of joyriding, most days he was working too hard to ever consider doing such a thing, but more than likely, he never wanted to set a poor example for upstarts like the twins. Just thinking at how often he had been the target of their pranks and jokes lately made it easy to forget to watch the time and where he was going.

Finally, when he had had enough of pushing his engine, he came to a screeching halt and idled for a moment, giving himself a moment to calm down. He transformed and paced back and forth, allowing his air regulators to catch up. It was so quiet in the desert, he finally stood still and crossed his arms, looking up and allowing his optics a moments' reprieve, he sighed as a cool refreshing wind sent a relaxing rush along his warm armor plating. This was just what he needed, he couldn't remember another time where he felt so calm.

He never expected anything to happen to him. His peace and quiet was suddenly interrupted by an unwanted sound coming from the sky. He reactivated his optics just as the seeker collided into him, a startled squawk escaping his vocalizer as he flailed and fell forward from the impact. Laying in a state of bewilderment, he was surprised at how well his spinning processor could recognize the voice belonging to his assailant.

"Just the mech I was looking for!"

Panic and disbelief instantly filled Red's face. "Oh no!"

Starscream flipped him over and settled his weight over his captive, pinning his wrists, a wicked pleased smile upon his face. "I had a feeling that you'd be around, did you miss me?"

"Of course not!" Red twisted and pushed against Starscream. "Let me go!"

"And why would I want to do that? I went through all this trouble to find you again." When he leaned in for a kiss, Red turned his face away. Starscream pulled both his hands together and pinned them with one hand, his other hand turning Red's face to his, he traced Red's jaw. "I missed my Autobot."

"I-I'm not… I'm not yours…" Starscream lightly traced a fingertip across Red's trembling lip components, listening to the quiet tone of the nervous Autobot. "Don't do this to me."

"And why not?"

"Please, I just can't." He averted his optics away from Starscream, expressing his disinterest. "Don't make me repeat myself."

The jet reared up slightly and released Red Alert's wrists as if he were about to let the sports car up, but he cocked his head in thought, as if he were confused. "I come all this way to see you and you tell me to leave?" He panned his gaze about the desert. "Last I checked, you don't own this desert and you don't tell me what I can and can not do." He leaned down, hand still clutching Red's face, and kissed the corner of his mouth. "You do as I say."

"Don't." Red squeaked meekly as Starscream next connected his lip components with his. This wasn't what Red wanted. Unlike the last time they were together, Red was not confused or damaged. He was able to process just what had been going on the last time between himself and the Decepticon. All his helplessness, disappointment, and anger consolidated into one and he surged up to push Starscream back with a cry. "Don't!"

"You wretch!" The jet grasped his upper arms and shoved Red Alert back down. "What's the matter with you?"

"Get off of me!"

"Is there a problem?"

"You're my problem," Red ground out, twisting his body beneath Starscream's until he finally managed to wiggle an arm free. He threw his fist at Starscream's head then hit him once more to stun him enough to roll out from under the jet. He was barely on his hands and knees when Starscream pulled his shoulder back, spinning him around, and returned the punch, sending the sports car crashing back down.

"I'm not the problem, Red Alert," Starscream growled angrily, "you are!"

"Says you!"

Red Alert angrily punched the seeker again, initiating a flurry of hands, exchanging punches before the two of them rolled along the sand and punched some more. The grappling came to an end with Starscream sitting over Red Alert, his hands gouged into the sand at either side of Red's head, both of them panting from their endeavors thus far.

"Why do you fight me," Starscream asked in a quiet, callous tone; circulating the air through his intakes. "Tell me, Autobot, why do you keep resisting me?"

Red simply lay there beneath Starscream, dragging his hands over his face. "Why shouldn't I? Because of you, everyone resents me now. Being with you has ruined my reputation!" Red was not about to say he wasn't very popular at the Ark from the get-go because of his rigid security regulations, he doubted that Starscream would even care. He just wanted to be able to return to the Ark without having to deal with anymore teasing or gossip concerning what happened between himself and the air commander. "I never wanted any of this!"

It was all the seeker could do to keep from laughing. He smirked and cocked his head slightly, his hand gliding smoothly up and down Red's chest plate, pleased with himself. "Then, stay with me, Red." Starscream suggested in an inexpressive tone.

When Red brought his hands to his face again, he released a sound Starscream was all too familiar coming from this Autobot. Starscream pulled Red Alert's hands down and frowned at the surprised, wet-glazed optics staring back at him. "What?! Are you crying? Stop it!"

"Sh-shut up!"

"That's right," Starscream jeered, grinning callously. "I like it better why you cry."

Red scowled at the seeker and optical tears ceased falling. "Don't you have better things to do than torment me? Like a fellow Decepticon to slay, or a hostile take-over to plot?"

Starscream smiled. "I could do all those things, but you're more interesting."

Red Alert turned his head and gazed at the desert sand as he checked his chronometer. "I have to go."

Starscream jerked Red Alert, pulling is attention to him again. "You're going nowhere!"

"I'm going back."

"After all they've done to you, after they betrayed you, you're going back to them?" He watched as Red Alert turned his head away again. "I'm offering you a great chance to become something more. Leave the Autobots and come with me."

Red Alert only shifted his optics to Starscream and regarded him coolly. "I'm not malfunctioning this time, my logic chips are in better working order. No one ever betrayed me, you were just messing with my head! You can't convince me that I'd be better off without the Autobots, in any case, being involved with you is a bad idea. I'd have to be absolutely crazy…"

"Crazy?!" Starscream grabbed Red and shook him violently, slamming him upon the ground repeatedly. "You want to know crazy?" Red Alert grimaced, his head lifted from the ground then slammed back down again and again. Thankfully, the sand absorbed most of the harsher bumps he received. "YOU'RE driving me crazy!!"

"Get off me!" Bringing his arms up and pushing back at the seeker, successful in finally throwing his fist against Starscream's face. The seeker rolled off to the side and Red Alert bolted to his feet. Starscream lunged forward and caught Red's legs, toppling him to the ground, shoving him onto his back, and climbing over him quickly.

"See? Do you see what you do to me?"

"Get off me, you freak!"

Starscream wasted very little words and established contact, initiating the connection with Red Alert, holding him as still as possible. Red froze, shivered, and his head tipped back, releasing a low moan laced with pleasure and loathing. For some reason, after all he put up with at the Ark, Starscream's administrations suddenly felt like relief. The seeker kissed his neck and Red awkwardly grasped his shoulders. It felt sort of good and he might have wanted to enjoy it had it not been a Decepticon doing it to him.

Red gripped Starscream's arms tighter. "Please…"

"Please what?" The seeker purred into Red's audio.

"Don't do this," he groaned.

"And why not?"

Because he hated it when the seeker made him feel like this. There was no pleasure or satisfaction mixed with their passion. He couldn't begin to fathom why Starscream was so fixated with him, the only thing he understood, the only reason that made sense, was control. Starscream only wanted control.

A strangled cry escaped in place of his answer. Starscream moved masterfully over Red Alert, hands gliding over his body, legs entwined, and mouths interlocked. Red could feel his body shudder, the warmth of his internals reacting to Starscream's touches. Red Alert clutched Starscream's arms, trying to still the seeker from going further, and gasped once he felt the seeker trace the seems of his armor.

"Seems to me that you like it," Starscream grinned as he kissed Red Alert's neck. He pried armor plating apart and Red Alertfrantically fought to keep it in place.

"No." Red Alert shook his head side to side, as if trying to clear the cobwebs within his cranial, and grasped at Starscream's hands, stilling him. "Stop, I'm- Mnf!" The seeker's mouth covered his in an effort to distract him long enough to unlatch armor, but Red Alert pushed Starscream's arms away and found just enough leverage to force his leg between himself and the seeker, kicking Starscream up and flipping him over his head.

Red Alert leapt to his feet, took a few steps back and turned to transform when he was abruptly blasted in the back. He collapsed into a heap on the ground, unable to move, as Starscream stood over him, holding his null ray at him.

"You just had to go and do it, you just had to raise it to that level, didn't you? This could have been easier, but I can see now! I can see exactly how I need to deal with you!" Starscream kicked him relentlessly and all Red could do was take it, with his circuits nullified he couldn't move even if he wanted to, and when he could, he drew his knees to his chest and his arms to shield his face. Starscream's attack ceased and he knelt beside Red, pulled his arms away from his face, and threw his fist at his cheek before leaning down and capturing Red's agonizing moan. His grip still over Red's arm, he flipped Red Alert over and forcibly pulled his arm back and pinned it just above his spoiler. He hissed in pain then became silent as Starscream's weight settled over him. "It didn't have to be this way," Starscream told him. "But you leave me no choice."

"Don't," Red Alert cried out in a desperate panic, struggling to glimpse at Starscream over his shoulder. "Don't do this! Stop it!"

"Nonsense, you need this." The seeker tightened his grip over Red Alert's arm, forcing a whimper of pain out of him. "You want this."

"I don't." Starscream reached down and stroked Red Alert's door panels, forcing a wild tremor throughout his frame. "Oh!" He shook his head and heaved a few desperate breaths of panic. "No, no, I don't! Don't do this! Not again, not again!"

Starscream smirked and leaned in close. "Beg and maybe I won't."

Without thinking, Red Alert released a shaky breath. "Please, don't do this! Let me go! Please!" There was silence between them and Red sighed, had begging worked? The was a sound behind him, movement, and he dared another glimpse over his shoulder, only to witness the seeker unlatching is own armor. Panic returned. "W-wait! Y-you said, you said you wouldn't!" The pressure to his arm hurt enough to make him cry out once more. "Don't do this, please Starscream! Please don't!"

The seeker paused and made an amused sound. "Hn, do that again would you?"

"Wh-what? But I-"

Starscream twisted Red Alert's arm, pushing it higher up his back until Red Alert's fingertips could nearly be seen peaking his over his other shoulder. The Autobot cried out awkwardly, a sound of grinding gears and straining cables rattling out of his shoulder joint. The seeker smirked as Red Alert arched his back and weakly kicked his legs.

"I liked it when you begged just now." Black helm lowered beside crimson and spoke low into the audio receivers. "Say my name again."

Red Alert shook his head and clenched his jaw. "N-no!"

With a low growl, Starscream jerked on Red Alert's arm and forced a sharp yelp from his vocalizer. "I'll tear you apart, Autobot! Now do as I say!"

Starscream applied more pressure and Red Alert mindlessly babbled in hopes of alleviating his pain. "Augk! Don't, let go, let go! L-let go of me!" He suddenly remembered he had use of his other arm, which he had been using to prop himself up, partially trapped between the ground and his chest. He swung his free arm out at Starscream and to his horror, the jet caught it and slammed it down hard beside him. "Ow!"

Starscream became still, applying heavy pressure until he heard a low squeak and a whimper crawl out of Red Alert's vocalizer. "P-please Starscream…" The jet smiled, quite pleased with what he heard as the Autobot lowered his head and heaved a low sob. "Don't do this. Please, please, please… Starscream."

Releasing the other arm and keeping Red Alert's first arm pinned behind his back, Starscream leaned down and kissed the back of his Autobot's head. "That will have to do, for now."

Red Alert pulled his free hand to his face and whimpered into a clenched fist. When Starscream began to move again, he raised his head up sharply. "H-hey, y-you said, you said if I did what you said-"

"And you believed me," the jet snorted, clearly amused. "You're denser than you look, Autobot. Especially if you think I'm leaving here without getting something from you tonight."

"Oh no!" The security director squirmed beneath Starscream. "You can't! D-don't!"

He simply gasped in pain and surprise as Starscream wasted no time and connected with Red Alert as he had done once before. Red could feel armor plating finally giving way to Starscream's hands, despite how he had tried to twist and kick away. There was no kissing this time, just Starscream's invasion, a mental and physical assault. Starscream was all around him, pressed against him, inside him, consuming his every sensor. His energy was overbearing, it was almost too much to for Red Alert to take in. He buried his face within his free arm, his hand clenching at bunches of sand, whimpering "stop" over and over again. His internals warmed and expanded energy to match Starscream's, his entire frame shivered, repulsed at how his body was reacting to the Decepticon.

There were fingers within him, prodding at circuitry, searching for sensor nodes. Red Alert groaned as Starscream found what he was looking for, the seeker's fingers twisting within him and forcing an involuntary tremor, that started as a small twinge within his core, to expand and rattle his plating. Starscream raised Red Alert's hips and anxiously grinded his pelvic plating against him, forcing another whimper out of the trembling Autobot. "Just a little more, Red. Just quit resisting me."

"Nghh…hn." He bit down hard on his bottom lip, pierced the thin metallic skin, energon oozing from his mouth. Starscream's fingers withdrew from him and for the moment he heaved a sigh of relief. However, the reprieve was only temporary as Starscream drove in suddenly, seemingly close to releasing all his energy. The sports car beneath him cried out in protest; his low whimpers of pain and blubbers of various pleas went unanswered. It was starting to hurt, his insides sore from the seeker's deep probes and his exterior trashed, scratched and dented. His energy field started to dwindle but Starscream kept going, moving deftly over the Autobot, stroking and probing further into the Autobot's body. Starscream's energy was intense and it soon swarmed Red Alert and sent his processor into a violent plummet from coherency. It was too much, too much! It hit in a violent and sudden rush, surged his throughout his core, and Red Alert screamed.

------

Red Alert staggered back to base. He was so sore he couldn't transform. He was so sure that he looked like a wreck; he knew without looking that he was covered in dust, scratches, and dents. He had an awkward gait, his joints stiff, and he held his shoulder carefully, his face stained with optical fluid and sand. He had sobbed within Starscream's arms, listening as Starscream talked as he liked to talk. Encouraging Red Alert to go, to escape.

"Go back to those miserable Autobots and see if anyone of them can make you feel as I've made you feel. You know just as well as I do that they hate you, that they mock you, that they don't care about you."

"And you do?"

Starscream had smiled cruelly. "You amuse me."

Red Alert had distanced himself from the seeker, had crab-crawled backward and sat upon the desert floor, arms surrounding himself, shuddering as he cried silently. "I hate you." He lowered his head and grimaced at the indentations Starscream's fingers had made upon his waist. "How can I go back looking like this?"

"What will you do Autobot?" Starscream stood and extended a hand to Red Alert. "My offer still stands. Come with me, Red. Leave those miserable wretches behind!"

Red looked up sharply and glared darkly at the seeker, slapping his hand away. "And be with you?! You're out of you're mind! I'm going back! At least I know that within time, they'll forgive me! Unlike you, I can trust them! Inferno will-"

Starscream's hand lashed out sharply, his knuckles striking Red across the face, leaving a blue scrape across his silver cheek. "You no-good, lousy, Autobot harlot!" Starscream roared as he turned and stalked away before glancing back at Red Alert once more. "Watch yourself, Red! I'll destroy what's most precious to you if that's what it takes."

With that, Starscream got a running jumpstart before transforming and taking off.

It took a moment to better compose himself before he had tried to stand and return to base. Red Alert winced, his shoulder ached so much from when Starscream had twisted his arm back, nearly ripped it off his rotors. The armor at his hips had a tear that was chafing with an audible creak, making it unbearable to walk. He had tried to transform but his joints squealed in protest. He needed repairs but who could he trust?

---------

Later that evening, Red was in the wash racks trying clean off the sand and dust from his contact with Starscream. Upon his return to the Ark, he had been lucky that no other Autobot had crossed his path. Most were probably in recharge or on late night duty, or someone might have asked him why he was so filthy, why his armor was dented and cracked so soon after he was repaired. The best course of action was to remove any and all proof that he was anywhere, remove any evidence that he had done anything, and wash away all contact with Starscream. Just thinking of how the seeker had touched him and kissed his neck was humiliating. If anyone had seen him and asked, he wasn't sure how he would answer.

He was sinking deeper and deeper into his own void of depression. He stood under a final spray of purifying wash solvent and gripped his arms tight against his chest until he could feel his fingertips bite into his armor plating. He frowned, displeased that he had hurt himself, and scratched at the annoyance. He scratched until he chipped paint and enamel, cursing softly at the sharp twinge of pain. This set into motion a horrible chain of action as Red knelt beneath the falling water and began to pick and peel at his paint, trying to rid the feel of Starscream's powerful hands and compelling kisses. It hurt, it hurt so much, but to Red it was a necessary discomfort. Just thinking of how Starscream attacked him a few hours ago made him wince and choke back a sob.

"Red! What in the name of Cybertron are you doing to yourself?" Bluestreak stood within the door and simply gaped, he didn't know what to make of this at all. He dropped his bathing supplies and called back over his shoulder. "Somebody help! Anybody!"

Bluestreak ran out the door, yelling, then came running back. "Red, stop it!" he grabbed the officer's wrists and tried to get him to stop. Big mistake. Red Alert immediately started to fight him off.

"No, stop," Red Alert shrieked, shoving at Bluestreak, "Let go of me, get away!"

Bluestreak tried to hold him still but kept his grip loose, afraid that he might hurt the panicked officer. "Easy, Red, it's me, Bluestreak! We're friends, it's okay!" Bluestreak called over his shoulder and tried to hail over his internal com systems. "Somebody, help! It's Red Alert, he needs help!"

In moments, several Autobots ran in to answer Bluestreak's call. "He's hurting himself! Help me with him!"

"What did he do to himself?" Ironhide inquired as he and two other Autobots entered, surprised at Red's ragged appearance and the flaky shards of red and white paint and metal strips littering the floor.

Red fought them all off, punching Bluestreak and kicking Hound, until Ironhide managed to hold him down and restrain him. "Don't hurt me," Red blubbered hysterically, "Don't hurt me."

"Take it easy, Red," Ironhide told him, helping him to his feet and guiding him out and down the corridor. "I ain't gonna hurt ya, I just need you to be calm."

"I-Ironhide?"

"Com'on Red, let's go for a little walk."

"Hey!" Inferno ran around the corner and started to give chase. "Red, are you okay? Let him go, Ironhide!"

"Inferno, wait!" The engine turned to see Prowl, Hound, and Bluestreak emerge from the wash room. He turned again in time to see Ironhide and Red Alert leave around the bend.

"Somebody tell me what happened with Red?"

"It doesn't look good Inferno," Prowl told him. "He's becoming more and more unhinged everyday."

"So? Do ya think it's okay to just haul him off like some criminal?"

"Ironhide is taking Red Alert to Ratchet, to treat his wounds."

"What wounds? Is he hurt?"

Bluestreak nodded vigorously. "Yeah, you should have seen it, Inferno! He was tearing through his enamel 'til he was down to bare metal! It was unbelievable! When I tried to stop him, he hit me!"

Inferno's anger dissipated and his gaze returned to where he had last seen Red. "No, he wouldn't do such a thing."

"It's true, he put up a big fight and everything."

"Listen," Prowl told Inferno, "Ratchet and Hoist will patch up Red Alert, as for what to do with Red Alert afterwards, we don't know."

Inferno jumped to conclusions. "Well you can't incarcerate him or demote him or do anything that would humiliate him any further! You gotta understand, Prowl, none of this was his fault!"

"I know it's not his fault, however, I'll see to it that we do what we have to if it's to help Red Alert and the safety of all Autobots."

"A-are you implying that he's a threat?! He's not crazy!"

"Hey!" Hound stepped between them both. "Cool your engines, guys! This is obviously a very delicate situation, but let's just see how things pan out first, okay? Discuss it after we hear about Red, okay?"

"Ah'm gonna go see him," Inferno spat as he turned to go, but not without giving one last cold glare to Prowl.

As Inferno stalked off, Blue approached Prowl. " What do you think Prowl? You think Red will be okay? The way he was hurting himself, if he kept going, he could have severed his fuel lines! He could have easily taken himself offline for good."

"Poor Red, I can't begin to imagine what he's going through," Hound added quietly, crossing his arms and gazing down the empty corridor. "He needs as much support as we can give him."

"I know." Prowl sighed. "We have to see how badly traumatized Red Alert is before we can actually deduct what to do with him next. We should have sought more help for him from the start."

------

Inside the repair bay, Ratchet and Wheeljack tended to Red Alert's injuries as Hoist helped with running a full diagnostic on Red once more. The injured Autobot lay strapped down to the table for his own safety. "I'm telling you, I'm much better now, Ratchet. Please, let me up."

The grumpy CMO rubbed his tender face plate, an unfortunate incident with Red's fist upon his arrival. "You hit me once, you get restrained, if you don't stop with the begging and pleading, I disconnect your vocalizer, understand?"

Red regretted hitting the doc, but he wanted to escape so badly, it didn't matter who was in his way. No one understood him, not Bluestreak, Hound, or Ratchet. Red started to twist upon the table, forming two desperate fists as he flexed his arms. "Ratchet, please, just don't make me lie here like this. I can't do this."

"Easy, Red," Wheeljack warned him, raising his welder from his repair work. "If you move, I could singe you."

He glanced once at Ratchet working diligently on his arms then once to Wheeljack mending his damaged armor plating. "I don't care! Let me up, please!"

"This' for your own good, Red." Hoist told him, looking up from his work. "Relax, we're almost done."

"Let me up!" Red shouted.

"Red Alert."

A grinding from Red's jaw before he panted nervously. "Y-you're going to deactivate me, aren't you?" His voice filled with panic, his bottom lip quivering. "I knew it, I knew it all along!"

"Red Alert…"

"Please, please don't deactivate me!"

"Deactivate?" Wheeljack sat up and observed his repair work. "Where would you ever get an incredible idea like that?"

Hoist looked up from his work, glanced once to Wheeljack, and back to Red Alert. "Please Red, we're only trying to help, we're just going to fix you."

Red Alert inhaled sharply, tying to cool his overworked systems, his processor racing. He knew he heard this 'excuse' before. They had been working on his repairs for quite some time ad now the diagnostic they were conducting really didn't seem all that necessary. Not unless they were preparing for what he had perceived all along. "I know exactly how you intend to fix me!" he spat, trying to hide the waver in his voice.

"You're being ridiculous," Ratchet told him, setting down his tools and closing a panel on Red's arm. He pat Red's shoulder in an attempt to quell his fears. "Calm down, we're almost done, aren't we Hoist?"

The tow truck nodded. "Why yes, we're only checking for the source of your neurological irregularity. It's probably just an echo from your time with Starscream. Nothing to get so anxious over."

As soon as Red heard the name of that particular Decepticon, he panicked again. "No, no, no, not Starcsream! Keep him away!"

"But Red, he's not-"

"D-don't let him touch me!"

Ratchet frowned and passed a worried look to the others before setting a firm hand upon Red Alert, the mech he was tending to trembled beneath his hand. "He's not here, Red. You're with friends and you're safe."

"But he'll get me again!"

"Red…"

Red Alert stilled and heaved a few sobs, staring forlornly at the ceiling. "Someone help me…"

------

Inferno had been pacing outside the medical ward, anxiously awaiting any news on Red Alert's condition. He couldn't believe that Red had tried to hurt himself. Every time he tried to ask himself why, the same answer kept resurfacing: Starscream. Red Alert had always been twitchy, but he had never been desperate enough to cause himself damage. Not until the seeker jumped his plating and messed with his head.

The door slid open and out stepped Wheeljack, followed by Hoist.

"Well?" Inferno finally stopped pacing and turned to them expectantly. "How is he? Is he okay"
The lancia and tow truck exchanged glances as Ratchet joined them. The medic gestured with a nod of his head. "Come inside."

Inferno passed a puzzled look to the silent mechs before following Ratchet inside, the door closing quietly behind him. "How is he," Inferno asked, worried about all the awkward silence.

With a quiet sigh, the medic answered. "Whatever Starscream did to him, he messed him up good."

"What do you mean?"

Ratchet heaved his shoulders then crossed his arms, shaking his head. "Red Alert kept accusing us of trying deactivating him then became delirious, screaming for Starscream to stop. I had to sedate him."

Inferno creased his brow. "Oh Red…"

Ratchet set a reassuring hand upon Inferno's shoulder. "I assure you, Red is doing much better. We've repaired his injuries and run a full diagnostic on his logic chips and found nothing severely wrong with him. He's just suffering from recurring echoes within his memory bank, he'll need time and plenty of rest."

"Echoes?"

Ratchet released his shoulder and nodded. "Yes, more or less, he's having nightmarish flashbacks even while he's awake. His recent affair with Starscream is tormenting him, haunting him, and he's just a little scared and confused. Trauma might be the better word for it. With some help and time, he can overcome it, but you know how Red can be, he's naturally jumpy. This is almost too much for him to handle."

The engine released his anxious breath and glanced over Ratchet's shoulder at the lit up work area around the corner. "Can I see him now?"

Ratchet sighed. "You got a few minutes, and whatever you do, don't rouse him. Let him rest."

Giving the medic a grateful smile, Inferno hurried past him and walked quietly and slowly as he approached the table Red Alert lay upon. Smiling grimly, Inferno carefully eyed the restraints still in place as an added precaution. Despite that, he couldn't help but notice how relaxed Red Alert looked when he was offline. He reached out and fondly traced the contour of Red's face before leaning down and placing a gentle kiss upon Red's mouth.

"I love ya, Red."

"Time's up," Ratchet announced as quietly but as irritable as ever. "I swear, I used to think the twins were bad! Listen, he'll be out by tomorrow, so if you wouldn't mind, he needs his rest and I need a recharge."

Nodding slowly, Inferno reluctantly left.

-----------

"Get this," Huffer announced as he sat down at their table within the rec room. "I just heard why Red Alert was incarcerated and brought to the med lab the other night. Seems like our Security Director has become a little unhinged since his time with Starscream. See, it's like I've been saying, he's going to go ballistic, I just know it."

"So now what do we do," Gears questioned, shuffling the cards for their next game. "Are we still going to trust him as our Security Director? You know how unwise it is to keep him on active duty like this, don't you?"

"He might have been better off if his head really did overload and explode," Brawn added, Windcharger nodding his agreement.

Suddenly there was a loud crack as Inferno's gun hand swung down and smashed through the table, spilling mugs of energon and playing cards everywhere. "You got somethin' you wanna say 'bout Red, say it now! Otherwise, keep your traps shut!"

The minibots were not deterred at all, despite how Inferno towered over them. "I say whatever I want," Brawn stated in a challenging voice, standing proudly and clenching a fist. "Got a problem with that?"

"You want Starscream's spoiled goods, that's up to you," Cliffjumper added, waving his hand at the larger mech frivolously.

Inferno ground his jaw and growled, his hand lunging at Cliffjumper, seized him by his tailgate and lifting him in the air. "Say that again?!"

"You heard me!"

Huffer sat up from where he lay among the spilled chairs and shook his head. "I knew something like this might happen!"

The door opened with a soft swish and in stepped Jazz, Bluestreak, and Bumblebee. "Hey, what's going on?"

Inferno made a face and reluctantly dropped Cliffjumper, shoving him into Brawn. "Nothing," he grumbled.

"Nothing," Bluestreak inquired curiously. "Nothing doesn't do this to the room. Come on, what happened in here?"

Jazz released a low whistle and surveyed the broken table and the scattered minibots. "Hey Inferno, you got a sec?"

Inferno turned and saw Jazz beckon him, curling a finger away from the angry minibots. "Listen Jazz, it's not-"

"Just c'mere a sec, I just wanna ask you somethin'."

Inferno huffed and joined Jazz's side. "Look, Jazz, I just get angry when they just shoot off their mouths like that!"

"I know, I know, I'm just concerned for ya', man. Don't let 'em get to ya."

Inferno looked down then shifted his optics to Jazz. "It's just…" He dared a glance back at the mini-bots and sighed. "If Red won't say anything in his own defense…"

"How is Red, if you don't mind my askin'?"

"He was tormented by Starscream, how do you think he's doing?"

"I'm just makin' conversation, but like I said, I'm just concerned 'bout you two."

Inferno nodded. "Ah know Jazz, and me an' Red really appreciate it, we do, it's just that it's hard right now."

"I know, man." He gave the big red mech an encouraging slap to the shoulder. "But I know you two can pull through."

"Thanks Jazz."

"Speakin'a Red, where is he?"

Inferno shrugged. "Not sure, he's been called from the infirmary to meet up with the other officers. Ah just got this funny feeling that they might suspend his officer license, y'know?" He shook his head and looked away. "And Ah'm pretty sure that neither choice they make will be good. Makes me mad just thinking 'bout it."

"Don't worry about it, I'll go see what I can do, okay?"

------

The following day, Red Alert emerged from his quarters, completely immersed in the data disk in his hands, reading the contents of the holo-screen tablet very intently. It was not unusual for Red Alert to walk and operate a complete security check all at once. He was so preoccupied he didn't even notice Inferno walking toward him.

"G'morning, Red," Inferno greeted cheerfully with a wave of his hand. "Ah was jus' coming to get you."

The sports car kept walking, paused a moment and looked up as he finally noticed the fire truck. "Oh, morning, Inferno." Then continued on his way as if uninterrupted.

"Red?" Inferno followed, trailing behind him. "Hey, you okay?"

"Hm?" He looked up from his tablet and replied quickly. "Oh, yes, yes, I'm fine."

"You look a little distracted, you busy?"

He nodded and lowered the screen. "Yes, yes, I have a lot of work to catch up on."

"Ah was just hopin' you had a minute, y'know, so the two of us could talk."

"Huh?" Red Alert tripped over a floor tile and stumbled forward. He caught himself and finally stood still. He faced the wall, so that Inferno was no longer behind him but beside him. He gave the fire truck a quick glance then adjusted his gaze down the opposite end of the corridor. "I don't have time, maybe later."

"But Red, your shift doesn't start for awhile."

"I'm getting an early start."

"Okay, when's your break?"

"I won't be needing one."

Inferno frowned. "A-are you avoiding me?" When Red Alert's gaze returned to the tablet, Inferno sighed. "Look, Ah know you're going through a hard time right now, but Ah want to help you. Tell me what to do?"

"You don't have to do anything, I said I'm fine and I mean it."

"Did something happen?"

The answer rolled out Red's mouth without hesitation, as if he had expected to respond all along. "Probation, I can't slip up, I'm on a thirty day probation." Red moved to start walking away. "So if you'll excuse me, I have my job at stake here."

"They put you on probation?"

"It could have been worse, I could have been stripped of my rank completely." He shook his head swiftly, remembering he wanted to get going. He sighed and shrugged, his expression depicting how bored he was with this conversation. "That's what I get for hurting myself and causing a commotion."

Inferno frowned and continued to follow his troubled partner, more concerned than ever. He was grateful that Red Alert had not lost his rank - maybe talking to jazz the day before had helped some - but he couldn't keep up with how rapidly Red's moods were changing. One moment he was frantic, the next he was bitter, and the next he was calmer but still fidgety; he really couldn't figure him out lately.

"Are you sure you're okay," Inferno asked quietly.

"Get off my case," Red suddenly burst. "I'm fine! I couldn't be better!"

Inferno shook his head slowly. Red was raising his voice, he was mad, Inferno knew all too well what the lamborghini was trying to do and he wasn't doing a very good job of it. The sports car hadn't had it easy lately, he was stressed out, stretched beyond his usual operating capacity, and Inferno knew it. Red wasn't just angry, he was trying to work on the pretense that he was better and 'healed', but Inferno could see through it, he could see Red Alert struggling to deal with the painful emotions welling up inside. "But Red, just because Starscream-"

The tablet struck Inferno's chest, thrown by Red Alert's hand. "Don't! I don't want to talk about it! I just want to forget it ever happened, is that okay with you?"

"Red, Ah just-"

"You want to help me?" Red took a few small strides, bent over to pick up his tablet, and glared at Inferno. His right cheek plate twitched, forcing his right optic to twinge. "Just leave me alone!"

"Red…"

The sports car turned and walked away, dropping his tablet in his hurry. He bent to retrieve it and only managed to kick it, skittering across the floor. He cursed, and once he finally caught it, he hurried on his way, never looking back. Inferno just stood in a muted stupor, his processor racing to determine what had just happened.

---------------

That afternoon

"Scanners detect Decepticon activity, nearby." Red Alert typed in a few command codes and enhanced the image, drawing up coordinates. "Looks like they're gathering energon at the oil refinery."

Prime nodded and ordered Jazz to assemble the strike team. Red Alert stood from his station to join the team but Prime lay a firm hand upon Red Alert's shoulder. "Red, I need you here to monitor things."

Red Alert frowned. "But Optimus, I should be with the others."

Prime changed his tone and Red's expression quickly changed into a frown. "I assure you, Optimus, I'm feeling much better, in fact, I feel fine. Please, let me go with the strike team."

Prime shook his head and replied softly. "Red, I'm only thinking in your best interest and I don't want to see anything else happen to you. I think it may be too soon to send you into battle to engage the enemy."

"But Optimus!"

"Red, I am asking this as a favor."

The rescue vehicle creased his brow. He was dishearten to hear Prime's request but he knew the true reason why. It wasn't that Prime didn't trust him, Red knew that Prime had full faith in Red and his abilities. This was an act of concern and Red chose to acknowledge it. There was no fried wiring to interfere with his decision making this time, Red nodded. "Yes, Optimus."

Prime nodded too and released Red's shoulder. Then turned to the assembled warriors. "Autobots, transform and roll out!"

Red leaned against the console and watched with mixed emotions as the team followed Prime and headed out into battle. The twins snickered to each other as they passed by him, the minibots marched by, each giving Red a variety of looks before following Prime.

Inferno gave Red a sympathetic look and stepped toward him. Red silently shook his head 'no' and waved him away, a forced smile to wish him luck. Inferno nodded dully before dismissing Red's sudden behavior and followed the others out. Once everyone was gone, Red returned to his station and lay his head over his folded arms, fighting back the urge to cry. He felt so useless! The others were about to go into battle without him and he hated not going, being singled out from everyone. If given a choice, Red Alert would much rather be monitoring things at the base, but this time he just wanted to go. He doubted that anyone trusted him enough to want him near them in battle anyway. He sighed and lifted his head, willing himself out of his self-loathing long enough to do his job and observe the monitors. He pressed a button and a screen flipped on, filtering static before viewing the sky-spy images.

He watched as both factions clashed, casually observing the battle as he collected data for the post-battle observation. He sighed, glancing from one screen to the next, before he sat up and frowned. He saw the jets on screen, entering the battle. Red's hand shook as he hit the button to enhance the image. This was ridiculous, he didn't want to be in hiding, he wanted to be out there. Knowing that Blaster, Grapple, and Wheeljack were somewhere within the base, Red stood from his station and headed toward the door. This was a very bad idea, but lately, he was making very poor decisions.

to finally be concluded??????

-------------------------------

um, yeah, this was suppose to be the final chapter but it was getting too long. Soooooo, he conclusion is actually in the next installment. bashes head on desk I'm sorrry!! Now I'm just stringing all y'all around on what was only a one chapter fic with a small follow up chapter now became a four chapter mini saga. sigh What can i say, I love this Red/Screamer/ferno thing I got going on here. Seriously though, thanks for sticking through this so far. rolls into bed for some much needed rest