Warning: See first chapter.

Disclaimer: See first chapter.

AN: Well, I'm a little late putting this up... but it's a longer chapter. Thanks to Corona 1 and ancara-iii for the reviews.

Confessions and Torture?

Chromia put the box on the floor, and it landed with a dull thump as she opened a private com channel to Ironhide. :: Well... that's one way to keep him from running away from us... :: He just nodded, completely transfixed on the sight before them.

There, in the middle of the dimly lit room, was Ratchet splayed across their berth, both blindfolded and tied down securely. Unable to resist the temptation, Chromia approached quietly and then slowly ran a hand down one of his legs.

Ratchet heard a small thump, and tried not to flinch at the sound of approaching steps. The feeling of someone touching his leg, made him strain at his bonds in an attempt to pull away and he let out a small sound of panic.

It was growing harder and harder for him to appear calm as the touch ended and the silence descended once more. Ratchet considered himself lucky that the few times the 'Cons had gotten ahold of him, he had either escaped or been rescued rather quickly and had managed to avoid being tortured... Though at this moment, it seemed to him that his luck was about to run out.

It took a moment for Ironhide's processor to reboot but he finally managed a response :: I can bet Jazz had something to do with this... ::

Before he had a chance to continue he was interrupted by another com :: Jazz to Chromia and Ironhide. The three of ya 'ave the next week off. Don' do anything I wouldn't. ::

:: Well, speak of the devil. :: Chromia commented, somewhat amused while Ironhide snorted :: Like that's a big list. :: and Jazz responded with a small laugh as he closed the connection.

Ironhide joined Chromia by the berth and stood on the opposite side, taking a moment to trace a seam along Ratchet's side with a finger. Ratchet tried to pull away and Ironhide frowned a bit. :: I don't think he has any idea where he is... I think Jazz just left him here... ::

A deep feeling of dread began to make itself known to Ratchet as he jerked away from the touch to his side, hoping desperately that he wasn't going to be passed around as a toy.

:: ...Then we should probably let him know just who's prisoner he is. :: Ironhide just barely managed to keep from laughing at her reply. :: You're still miffed at him for running off the other morning, huh? :: She nodded with a bit of an evil grin and Ironhide relented. :: Go ahead... but everything stops if he starts to panic. ::

Climbing up onto the berth and kneeling next to Ratchet, Chromia leaned over him and began to gently caress cables and run her fingers along the side of his face. The light touches seemed to hit just the right spots and he shuddered at the sensations even as he tried to turn away.

With no way to either escape or fight, Ratchet turned his head as far away from the direction of the touches as he was able. Finally in a somewhat resigned and worried voice, he asked the one question he honestly didn't know if he wanted to have answered. "What... what do you want..."

Cupping his chin with her hand, she slowly and gently forced him to face her as she leaned down and whispered, "There's only one thing we want.."

Ratchet froze as he heard her speak, he knew that voice... 'Chromia?... no.. it can't... I.. it has to be a trick..' A strange mixture of fear and anticipation flooded his systems as she tipped his chin up slightly, and murmured, "You," against his lips before kissing him softly.

Unable to stop himself, Ratchet found himself returning the kiss as his fans kicked in. He could feel the fuel in his tanks churn as she pulled away from the kiss while tracing the top edge of the windshield on his chest, because he knew, he just knew that it couldn't be real. Torture, it was torture... pure, sweet and wonderful torture...

Finally deciding to join in, Ironhide sat on the opposite side of the berth and began to trace the contours of Ratchet's headlights with a single finger and he let out a whimper of confusion. Ratchet wanted to both accept the touch and reject it at the same time.

He was a prisoner, he shouldn't be enjoying this... but... suddenly another set of lips captured his and he let out a low moan before he could stop it. He tried to keep reminding himself, 'It's not real... It's only a trick...' no matter how much he wished it were otherwise.

Slowly breaking the kiss, Ironhide stroked Ratchet's cheek and asked "Why do you keep running from us?" He took a moment to draw Ratchet into another, longer, deeper kiss, that made him shudder and let out a small whine as Ironhide once again pulled away.

'Oh Primus... That feels..' Much to his internal shame, he found himself whining in disappointment as the kiss ended. He felt so conflicted, he wanted nothing more than to give in, to believe it was real.

Chromia laid down next to him, putting her head on Ratchet's shoulder and snuggled into his side and frowned as he became very still. "Did you really think that we didn't want you? That it was nothing more than a meaningless fling..."

The hurt in her voice was obvious and he could feel his resolve wavering and slipping away at a rapid pace. Even though his optics were still covered, he shuttered them and attempted to regain control over his traitorous emotions.

Ironhide slid his thumb over a seam near Ratchet's headlight and began to increase the pressure as he traced the edge. "We both love you... We both want you." Arching to meet his touch, the last of Ratchet's resolve collapsed as Ironhide spoke, and Primus help him, he believed every word.