Rating: PG

Warnings: None

Setting: Transformers Animated AU

Disclaimer: Transformers belongs to Hasbro!

As the unforgiving sun baked down upon the sand coated landscape, another hot gust of wind battered him, making Prowl adjust his cloak and shade his optics as he looked towards the city they had landed near. He was glad that Lockdown made him wear the cloak for getting sand out of gears was a nightmare, not to mention kind of painful. When his large partner had tossed the grey piece of fabric at him, telling him they would be landing soon, the bike immediately refused. The cloth monstrosity looked extremely constricting and would make transforming impossible.

"Either wear it or stay on the ship," groused the spiked mech, "You'll need it ou' there."

He was right. Taron 5 was known for sandstorms and unbearable heat. The majority of the population lived in the northern hemisphere where it was coolest, in the capital of Jeraab, a large port and market town, however, with little atmosphere and poor weather, only hardy organics and few Transformers lived there. The planet was also near a sector of space where Autobot and Decepticon territory almost intersected and received news from both factions, if you knew where to look.

When they entered the city, Prowl was surprised to find it bustling with activity and found himself struggling to keep up with his larger partner through the throngs. They arrived on a market day, allowing them to go by with little notice.

Glancing up to see where the muscle car went, Prowl felt his fuel tank lurch when he could no longer spot him. Fighting down the wave of irrational panic he could feel rising within him, the ninja bot was wondering what to do, when a mauve arm seemed to appear out of nowhere and dragged him forward, bringing him flush against a warm frame. Looking up, Prowl was annoyed at the relief he felt at the sight of the white faceplate above him.

"Keep up, kid," admonished the older mech, though a light smirk was on his faceplate, before he surprisingly released the ninja bot and motioned for the two-wheeler to follow through a doorway. Prowl was still wondering over his partner's newfound respect for his personal space and how disappointed he was to not have the muscle car's arms around him, which he promptly squashed, before venturing into the building Lockdown disappeared into.

Dusty light shone softly through the dirty window of the bar the two bounty hunters had entered. Lockdown lead the bike over to a corner booth before heading up to the bar. Sitting down, Prowl did his best to look as intimidating as the others in the room, while he watched his partner chat to the busty, red femme behind the counter.

Gaze drifting over the bar's other occupants, the bike quickly noticed a bot covered in a dull green cloak, whose orange gaze seemed to be locked onto the broad back of the muscle car at the bar. When the cloaked mech rose and swiftly made his way towards Lockdown, Prowl prepared to rush to the spiked car's aid when his partner turned his helm to the approaching bot. What Prowl did not expect was for the black and green mech to grin and grasp one of the bot's servo's in his own and pull the still shrouded bot into a brief hug. Had Prowl not seen it with his own two optics he would have never believed it happened. Not the fact of Lockdown having friends, but a friend who was close enough to him to show physical affection. The two conversed for a bit before Lockdown threw an arm over the other's shoulder and lead them over to the table where Prowl sat at. The easy, familiarity Prowl observed between the two of them had jealousy burning in his chest, though he wasn't entirely sure why.

The cloaked mech pushed back his hood revealing a handsome, dark teal mech with a grey faceplate and light grey highlights. Surprisingly he was Lockdown's height, and the side by side made for an intimidating duo. Bright orange optics shone down at the black bot with interest, who gazed back suspiciously. Raising an optic ridge, Prowl focused expectantly on Lockdown.

The large muscle car smirked, practically humming in pleasure at the jealousy painted on the bikes's faceplate. This was the proof he needed to know whether his advances were indeed wanted, that the sexy little bot did have feelings for him even if Prowl himself wouldn't admit it. He had felt the cyber ninja's sharp optics on him during the entire interaction with the other bot, a dark glint in his purple visor.

"Prowl, I want you to meet my old partner, Doubldealer."

"Well, definitely not as old as you LD," teased the teal mech, playfully elbowing the spiked mech next to him, before sitting down across from Prowl.

Smiling smugly, Lockdown took the spot next to the ruffled bike, draping his arms casually across the back of the booth seat.

Prowl turned his pouting face towards Lockdown, who had to resist the urge to kiss it off.

"I was unaware that you partners before me." commented the two-wheeler archly.

"Jealous?" teased the spiked mech, "What, ya think I've been a bachelor all these eons?"

"You have always enjoyed the lifestyle, big guy." grinned Doubledealer.

Prowl's purple visor snapped back to the teal mech across from him, annoyed. Lockdown kept quiet, looking back and forth between the two bots with him, curious to see how the young bot would handle things.

"So, how is it that you know each other?"

"Met during the Great War, didn't we LD," answered the new mech, taking a sip of his high grade and noticing his old partner subtly watch Prowl's faceplate, "I was positioned under General Strika when this bot's ugly mug showed up. I wouldn't let him speak with the General since I hadn't been informed he was coming. Next thing I knew I was flat on my back, a chainsaw about cut through my cables when he stopped."

Doubledealer chuckled, "Said something about it being a waste to offline one of the few good looking Decepticons. Towards the end of the war, he invited me go hunting with him."

Prowl had a pretty good idea of the type of relationship Lockdown had had with the teal mech, the thought of which had him burn with jealousy.

"Sounds like you two really hit it off," commented the bike sarcastically, which the other mechs both ignored.

Lockdown looked thoughtful, "Now that I think about it, how did you manage to escape the stockades?"

Shocked, Prowl stared at the mech across from him, "You escaped from the Autobot stockades? How? That's almost impossible." He would have claimed it was completely impossible, if not for the recent escape of Wasp, and no bot was certain how he did it.

Doubledealer's expression was strained for a moment, leaving Prowl to wonder whether he had actually see it, before the Con shrugged, smiling slyly at them, "An escape artist never reveals his tricks, but if you ever find yourself stuck in that Primus forsaken place, know that DD will get you out."

Lockdown grinned and reached across the table, patting his former partner on the rotor cuff, "I always knew I could count on you in a pinch 'Dealer."

Something about the other bot's tale didn't sit well with the black ninja bot. The likelihood of the teal mech actually escaping the stockades seemed outlandish, but how else could he be here with them now?

"Speaking of being able to count on me," continued DD, "I heard of a pretty big job that I'll need some help with."

Lockdown ex-vented a small chuckle, "Asking for help already, I knew there was a reason for wanting to chat besides catching up."

Rubbing the back of his helm, Doubledealer smiled guiltily, "What can I say I'm always an opportunistic mech. Besides I think it will go a lot smoother with a couple extra servos."

"Apologies, but we're currently on another job at the moment." interjected Prowl curtly. Something about this new mech didn't sit right with him, "Maybe next time."

Lockdown shot his partner a disapproving glare, but the bike staunchly refused to look at him. The muscle car shrugged and focused back on the other both across from them, "Kid's right, but this hunt shouldn't take too long. Give us an orbital cycle or two and you'll have our help."

The teal mech grinned, though Prowl noticed a strange glint in the bot's optics, "Great. I have to do a bit more research out our target anyways." getting up out of his seat, he tossed back what was left of his highgrade, "Your call sign still the same?"

Relaxing back in the booth, the spiked bot gave his drink a swirl and grunted in acknowledgment, finishing his drink was well, "We'll be in touch."

Doubledealer nodded before making his way out of the bar. As he stepped outside he brushed past an organic entering the building he just left, and curled his lip in disgust. How he disliked organics. How Lockdown could see them with anything but contempt was beyond him. Attempting to navigating the still bustling crowd, the Decepticon felt his ire growing. Releasing a frustrated growl he grabbed hold of his cloak before transforming. The now assault vehicle with mounted machine gun blared its horn angrily.

The surrounding organics started and jumped back allowing Doubledealer room to accelerate forward.

Activating his com link he waited for a response.

"I've made contact," affirmed the driving truck, "Everything's going as planned."

Lockdown watched with interest as a rock creature, the species actually native to this planet, entered the establishment they were in moments after his old partner left. Something seemed off about the teal mech. Prowl subtlety tried to catch his eye, no doubt about to ask a million question. The older bot was about to give his new, better partner all the attention he could want when the demeanor of the new patron piqued his attention. The native was average height for its kind, head coming up to the muscle car's mid chassis. He pat Prowl's rotor cuff and nodded towards the bar before sliding out of his seat.

"Give me a big one." said the stone like being to the bar tender in a weary voice. Receiving his drink he slammed back his drink before groaning in frustration, "Damn bots."

Lockdown slapped a servo down heavily on the rocky shoulder, who's head turned to look at the owner of the offending limb. The spiked mech watched with satisfaction at the fear that formed in the dark eyes of the stone face.

"You got a problem with bots, Kronan?" asked the tall mech, glaring down at the native. Feeling Prowl's optics on him, he glanced back subtly, winking at the tense bot who relaxed at the gesture. The bike's demeanor switched drastically as stepped forward to flank the older bot, aura suddenly sharp and deadly.

The Kronan noticed the movement behind Lockdown and realizing that he was overpowered and outnumbered held up his hands in surrender.

"Hey mech, I only meant this one bot, see? She stole my ship." the Kronan explained quickly, "Spent the last two days dealing with the authorities to try and get it tracked. Got an initial fix on its trajectory but the cops won't go after it."

"Ship ID and those coordinates." growled Lockdown, a smirk of satisfaction on his faceplate.