It had been a three long days since the Autobot's capture and Arcee and Jacks suicidal run through Chernobyl. Ratchet had successfully eradicated the radiation from Jacks body and Arcee had been patched and painted, looking gorgeously pristine again.

The other Autobots were healed and working on the recent Decepticon signal activations around the globe. But even then, with all this going on, Optimus kept to his word, and gave Arcee and Jack the rest they deserved, unawares of their relationship.

Optimus also congratulated Jack on his commendable bravery and strength to fight the Decepticon threat much bigger and stronger than him. He awarded him with an Autobot emblem and made him an honorary Autobot, but obviously he would only be allowed on patrols, since Optimus would never voluntarily endanger his or any human's life. Ratchet also upgraded Jacks armor, giving him his own blaster in the wrist that would transform out with a flick. Optimus stood tall looking over the base. Ironhide walked over to him.

"Optimus, you okay?" he asked. Prime nodded.

"Yes my old friend. But I fear that this is not the last we will see of Blackout or his bounty hunter team"

"Couldn't believe it when I saw Blitzwing. He's a murderous menace"

"Indeed. And he's on earth. Humanity is in danger, we must be aware of this, and be ready to protect them at all cost"

"Yes sir" He nodded.

"where's Arcee and Jack?" He asked Optimus.

"Enjoying some well earned Shore Leave" He smiled, totally unawares of their bond.

...

Even though they'd missed the majority of their shore leave, they managed to still have an evening together. Lying under the stars in their secret spot, Jack and Arcee cuddled. He had a pillow propped on her shoulder and rested against her.

"So...what's that one called?" Arcee asked, pointed to the constellations above.

"That one? Well that's the big dipper"

"The big what?"

"Dipper, you know like a...a ladle thing"

"What?"

"Oh it's...difficult to explain. All you need to know is that what it's called" He chuckled. Arcee smiled as she shook her head.

"Oh this is perfect, isn't it? Just here...together, you know?" Jack relaxed into her side. She moaned as she stretched.

"Yeah. It really is" she rested her head towards his. She looked back up at the sky.

"We never saw things like this on Cybertron. The artificial light polluted and made the stars invisible" Arcee explained, her huge blue eyes illuminating in the dark.

"Well it does happen on earth in the cities, but out here...it's beautiful" Jack sighed with relaxation. Arcee changed the subject, rolling over towards him, walking two of her fingers across his chest like legs.

"Now Jack, you're okay with me not wanting to move too fast with our...relationship, right?"

"What? Yeah of course I am. Why?"

"Just making sure. I mean you were really interested in the idea of Sparkmates and haven't mentioned it since our little...discussion by the road" Jack stifled a scoff and looked at her.

"Discussion? Cee you through me to the floor and slammed your fists into the ground!" He laughed.

"Yeah, that might have put you off"

"Cee, I am fine with it. Honestly. You said you wanted to research it and find out...if it would work, you know?"

Arcee sat up, bending her knees to her chest.

"Well, over the last few days I've been...doing research. And funnily we aren't the first...Cybertronian, human relationship to have happened" She explained.

"Really? Well what did you find?" Jack asked looking up.

"Well according to an Autobot who lived on Earth in the eighteenth century who had a romance with a female human, the way they discovered if they were compatible, was to place their palms together"

"That's it? Just place our palms together?" Jack asked, not believing it could be that easy. He tossed the pillow aside and sat looking at her.

"Yeah, if we are compatible, then my spark will glow bright and so will the inside of our palms" Arcee explained, stuttering. Jack slid closer to her.

"Hey, you okay?"

"Jack...I'm worried that's all"

"Yeah me too. But it's the only way to find out" He comforted her.

"So...shall we" She uncomfortably smiled. Jack took a deep breath.

"Okay...let's do it" She crossed her legs like Jack and arched her back, sticking out her palm. Jack struggled to touch hers pulling away, and afraid to raise it. He nervously chuckled.

"Pretty nervous" He shook his clammy hand and took a really deep inhale, trying to swallow his fluttering stomach. She smiled comfortingly at him.

"Whatever happens, we'll...we'll figure something out" She said.

"It'll be fine, it'll be fine" He mumbled. Jack slowly raised his palm and after several pauses, pressed it against hers. Her cold metal tickled his palm.

Nothing happened. Her spark didn't glow and neither did their palms. Both of their hearts sank and Jack swallowed past the lump in his throat. Arcee lowered her head in defeat.

"Well...that's that" She sighed, closing her eyes, slumping her palms into her lap.

"No, come on...like you said we'll -"

"We'll what? Jack there is nothing else! Obviously we aren't compatible for some reason" She struggled. He stroked her cheek as he grew closer to her.

"Cee. I promise I'll do whatever I can to help this work. I mean would Ratchet know?"

"Maybe, but we'd end up outing ourselves to them"

"Well, what if we only told Ratchet?"

"What? no! I mean what makes you think he'd keep it a secret?"

"Arcee what did you say to me when we met?"

"Tell anyone about us, and I'll hunt you down" She chuckled. "Jack...I'm just sick of so many things going wrong in my life, for once I want to be happy"

"We all have problems we can overcome Cee, this time round there just a little bigger" Jack smiled as he stroked her cheek, only nose distance apart. She smirked to him, eyes raised to his.

"I don't know what I'd do without you" She smiled, leaning in and kissing him. They closed their eyes and kissed, trying to forget there incompatibility.

Sadness was evident, but it wasn't over...not yet.