Chapter One

Mirage jerked as the electric sparking rod was shoved into his side. Starscream pushed it further in, frustrated in not hearing the screams he wanted. Mirage grinded his denture plates together; it hurt but he wasn't going to allow Starscream the reward.

"You should be grateful that it's me delivering your punishment and not Soundwave," Starscream leaned into Mirage's audio, "That was a very lucky shot, damaging his CPU and vocals. Hook says he might not fully recover... but he'll be functional, to bad for you." Starscream removed the rod, Mirage panted trying to recover.

"Slag... I thought... he was... was beyond repair." Mirage smirked weakly. Starscream features darkened; he quickly turned the rod on full and shoved it into Mirage's exposed leg wires. This time Mirage couldn't stop a yell of pain escaping his vocals.

"There we go," Starscream removed it, "there's that lovely vocaled yell." Mirage couldn't do anything but shake and give Starscream a glare. "Now, now, don't do that. You brought this upon yourself. Just one more thing..."

He rammed the rod strait into a gaping hole in Mirage's chest plate, the rod hitting his spark chamber sending him into stasis lock.

...

Perceptor sharply woke from recharge, his internal systems attempting to cool him down. The doors open; Wheeljack quickly entered and was by Perceptor in seconds.

"What happened, what's wrong?" Perceptor moved into Wheeljack's embrace. Wheeljack climbed onto the berth, Perceptor cradling his head on Wheeljack's shoulder.

"I had another one... it was worse."

"He's dead Percy."

"But I don't think he is Wheeljack! Why else would I have these... these nightmares! He's still alive, I know he is."

"Well... Hound's starting to believe you."

"But you don't."

"It's hard to believe! That explosive could destroy anything," Perceptor huffed and ignored Wheeljack, "Hey now, don't be like that." Wheeljack playfully yanked and rubbed wires in Perceptor's side. He squirmed, laughing; he returned the favor by connecting lips. Not breaking the kiss, Wheeljack moved them until he was on top.

"I thought... I was... supposed... to be comforting you." Wheeljack traced Perceptor's jaw line with kisses.

"You are..." Perceptor allowed Wheeljack to have his way... until he brushed against a bundle of sensitive wires. Perceptor's optics flashed, painful memories resurfacing.

"Wait, no... Wheeljack stop..."

"Wha- Percy! Oh Primus, I'm sorry." Perceptor smiled weakly.

"Its be four months later... you'd think I'd be over it."

"No, no, it's fine... you have every right. What he did... but he's dead, and you don't have to worry about him."

"I know, it's everything else I have to worry about."

"...We're under the Autobots protection."

"I don't care! It's not home... I can't fight... I don't want to fight."

"They're not making you. We're still neutrals, not Autobos... unless you really want to," Perceptor remained silent, "Percy?"

"I'm fine... I just want to recharge now." Wheeljack turned on his side and held Perceptor close, rubbing his arm until Perceptor fell back into recharge.