Author's note. Thanks to Curious1here for her suggestions for this chapter.

I'm afraid I don't know when the next chapter will be out, I had writer's block and this was a slow chapter to write I'm afraid.

Enjoy and please review.

Starscream felt his spark literally sing as he soared upwards, all his fears and worries melting away as he did so. This was what he had needed so desperately, a free flight unhampered by duties or boring Mecha who just wanted to talk his audio off with pointless drivel. Oh sure, grounders always gushed about what it was like on the open road, feeling the tarmac burn beneath their wheels as the wind rushed past them…..amateurs.

What did grounders know about the exhilaration that was flight, be it through space or a planet's atmosphere? Absolutely nothing, even a triple changer couldn't truly appreciate it like a natural born flier. Oh yes, feel those air currents caressing his wing sensors in an almost tickling sensation. Deciding to go to a lower altitude, he tipped downwards in a very graceful movement.

By his side, Skyfire imitated his movement, tipping his left wing tip up and arching downwards. Starscream couldn't help but smile to himself, this felt…good. It had been so long since they'd flown together but since they had done it so often as scientific partners, this was surprisingly familiar. He didn't have to tell Skyfire where to go or how close he could come, the shuttle just knew.

Skyfire suddenly shot ahead and did a loop-de-loop, something that he'd gotten into the habit of doing whenever they set off to a new world. Starscream simply zoomed after him, playfully chasing his former science partner through the clouds and endless sky. A feeling bloomed within him, growing rapidly until it finally erupted into laughter. Happy, joyful laughter.

The shuttle smiled widely at the sound, there was his old friend.

Far below, Ironhide watched the aerial display. Once the two had taken off, he'd transformed and followed them, making sure everything was fine. So far, it was and he could allow himself a small smile even if he couldn't let his guard down. It would be just typical if Decepticons did show up, he needed to be ready with his cannons

Eventually, he decided to stop up a hill with a nice flat plain, perfect for keeping the fliers in sight. He transformed and relaxed against a large boulder which was positioned by a rest stop. Ironhide knew he'd be here for a while, Starscream needed a good long flight before he escaped into the safety of their quarters again.

He suddenly smiled wryly, he'd been trying to think of ways to keep his charge occupied and something that had sprung to mind was Energon treats. Ironhide himself could make a mean rust stick but others he had a lot of trouble with. Surely as a scientist, Starscream would have a talent for the concoctions?

Or would he dismiss it as childish nonsense?

The crackle of his comm distracted him from his train of thoughts and he opened it.

"Ironhide, how is everything going?"

"It's going good Prime," the red Mech said into the comm. "Ah can just see them, looks to meh as though they're having fun."

"That is excellent news," Optimus said in relief. "If Starscream is able to reconnect with Skyfire, it will make the transition much easier."

"Yeh," Ironhide agreed, he hoped it would help. Because once the rest of the base learned about Starscream, things would become a lot harder for the Seeker. If he had a friend to back him out, it should help. The red Mech knew some would be suspicious because Skyfire was an old friend of Starscream but he did know that many on the base knew exactly what kind of a Mech the shuttle was. Namely, a kind one who hated conflict who wished to protect this planet from needless destruction and was very forgiving.

With Skyfire's support, Ironhide hoped that some bots would be willing to give Starscream a chance and in turn, others would be encouraged to.

"Heard anything from Jazz yet?" he now asked.

"No but there is no cause for concern yet," his leader replied reassuringly. "They are well within the predicted time estimated for abroad the Nemesis."

"Alright," Ironhide said, that was probably a good thing. "Ah'll call it in if there's any problems, Prime."

"Acknowledged, Prime out."

Ironhide allowed his comm to switch off again and returned to watching the sky. It was actually quite peaceful out here, with a light breeze blowing across his frame. There were patches of cloud but mostly, it was a clear night and stars twinkled merrily against the inky blackness. The shrieking cry of some sort of animal echoed across the stillness but it didn't bother him. There were no organics creatures around here that were the slightest threat to him, except for some humans and that definitely wasn't human.

He smirked as he remembered one time that punk Rumble had gotten covered in bird seed in the city and had been attacked by pigeons. Served him right for trying to terrorise the locals there, little fragger had tripped into some sloppily rubbish before falling into said bin of bird seed. Poor Spike had barely been able to stand from laughing so hard and Ironhide couldn't blame him, it had been damn funny.

"Maybe Starscream would enjoy seeing those pictures," he mused aloud to the surrounding area. "Might get a laugh of two….."

Crack!

"What the frag!?" Ironhide swore, already bringing forth his blaster automatically and ready to fire.

"Hold," came a familiar voice that made him pause as he beheld the two Seeker in front of him.

They were not alone however and he saw that while Skywarp had an arm linked through a bound Thundercracker, both Seekers were being restrained. Jazz had a deceptively casual arm around Skywarp's neck, gripping an electro blade. Thundercracker was similarly held by Mirage who glanced to one side as the purple and black Seeker staggered, his captor careful not to cut him due to this involuntary movement.

"He's not escaping," Thundercracker was already snapping. "He can't Warp very far with more than one bot."

"We know," Jazz said with satisfaction, partly supporting the woozy looking Seeker. "Just as well, old buckethead would be having you warping his goons in our base all the time."

Skywarp made a growling noise but it was clear he'd been affected. Jazz gave him a little pat with the hand not holding a blade and said. "Let's get more comfortable…..Thundercracker, you take a few steps to the side and get on your knees."

He received a glare but was forced to comply, moving away before falling to his knees. It allowed Mirage to activate the cuffs that had bound his hands behind his back and with the spy ready with a blaster, the Seeker was secured.

"Your turn," Jazz said cheerfully to Skywarp who growled but seemed looked so unsteady that it was probably a blessing that he didn't have to stand anymore.

"Much better," the saboteur said, trying not to smirk too much.

"You said we would see Starscream," snarled Thundercracker. "Where is he Autobot?"

"Flying under supervision," Ironhide replied and the two Cons looked at him sharply.

"Ah found him injured in the desert and brought him back," Ironhide explained. "He was getting a little flight crazy so we let Skyfire fly with him."

"That shuttle?" Skywarp questioned, frowning heavily. "You think he can control Starscream?"

"He knows that Seeker's flight patterns pretty well," Jazz mused. "I think he can keep more than enough control."

"What have you really done?" the blue Seeker growled. "Starscream wouldn't accept that, even if it's that shuttle."

"Yer right," Ironhide acknowledged. "But it'd probably be best if Starscream explained it to yah himself."

This didn't sit well at all with them, the weapon's expert read confusion, anger and frustration at this statement. But Ironhide knew it wouldn't be right to start telling them how Megatron had been abusing their trine leader. It was up to Starscream to tell them what had happened.

"Explain it to us?" Skywarp said with no small amount of contempt. "You too scared to admit what you did, Autoscum?"

"Ah haven't done anything," Ironhide told him, used to insults from punks like Skywarp. "Like ah said, this is something Starscream needs to say."

He turned away, ignoring the Seeker's scathing reply. Pinging Skyfire, he said. "Skyfire, ah need yah tah bring Starscream to these coordinates."

"Copy that, we will be there shortly," Skyfire replied.

"Starscream's on his way," he said aloud to all those present.

"Hear that, you just gotta hang tight for a little more," Jazz purred into his captive's audio, resulting in a growl.

Ironhide just looked towards the skies, waiting for the fliers' arrival. If they could convince Starscream's trine to join, it would be a huge boost. And make it harder for Megatron to take back his Second in Command.

"They're coming," he murmured, just making out their approach.

"Fast," mused Mirage causing Thundercracker to scoff but not make comment.

It wasn't long at all before they arrived, both transforming and landing smoothly. Skyfire was just behind his smaller flight partner who was already marching over.

"What's going on?" Starscream demanded, seeing his trine mates.

"We picked up a little gift for yah," Jazz said with a grin.

"Let them go," was the response he got, making the saboteur laugh.

"Sorry but it was hard enough getting them here, can't let them go now," Jazz stated. "Besides, with them, we'll have a little leeway with old Megs. He's gonna be hopping mad once he finds our little surprises."

"You've sabotaged our base," growled Thundercracker.

"We only messed around a little with it," the Autobot TIC said with a small shrug. "I'm sure it'll recover, in time."

"Megatron's gonna slag you up for that," Skywarp spat

"Oh, he's welcome to try," Jazz said in a tone that invited retribution.

"Please," Skyfire said softly, seeing how agitated Starscream was getting, not to mention his trine mates.

"Stay out of this, traitor," snarled Skywarp as Ironhide snapped. "Alright, enough from all of yah.

He kept a firm hand on Starscream's shoulder, making sure he didn't lunge again and also offering some support.

"There's a reason Starscream's with us," he stated, looking straight at the other Seekers. "Ah thought it was only right that he tell yah about why that is."

His charge tensed under his grip, suddenly very nervous. Ironhide still didn't fully understand how Seeker culture worked on this issue, from what Starscream had told him it was a sign of great dishonour, made worse if done by a grounder. He hadn't asked what Starscream would have thought of another Seeker in his position, he knew that wouldn't be a good idea. He also had no idea what Thundercracker and Skywarp's personal views on the matter were.

"What's he talking about?" the blue Seeker wanted to know.

Starscream shifted even more, his wings displaying just how uncomfortable he was. Ironhide gently squeezed, reminding the Seeker that he was here for him. The young Seeker briefly glanced at him before returning his gaze to his trine mates although his optics kept shifting.

"He found me injured in the desert and brought me back to their base," Starscream finally said, starting with the easy part and indicating Ironhide.

"Injured?" Thundercracker repeated with concern and Starscream nodded.

"It…..it was Megatron," he managed to bite out, wings tensely held.

"Again?" Skywarp asked blandly as his partner made a sighing sound.

"Was it bad?" the blue Seeker asked, not seeing any other reason why an Autobot would have been able to capture his leader.

Starscream grimaced, how was he supposed to tell them?

"Yes," he said flatly. "Megatron….he….."

He stopped, unable to carry on.

"It's okay Star," Ironhide murmured, trying to encourage him but it caused Skywarp to snap.

"Don't you call him that, fragger, who do you think he is?"

"He's trying tah tell yah something important," Ironhide said sternly back at him. "It's hard."

"Hard?" Thundercracker repeated. "How?"

"Yeah, how?" Skywarp wanted to know, causing Starscream to growl out.

"He did something worse."

Again, he got confused looks and a very concerned one from Skyfire. Ironhide wondered if the two Seekers were picking up on Starscream's reluctance, he'd witnessed plenty of times when the red and white Seeker had been loudly complaining about his injuries in front of everyone. Even with Ironhide, Starscream still hadn't revealed all that had happened between him and Megatron between the first and latest rape.

Apparently getting twitchy with the silence, Starscream finally snapped out.

"Megatron forced himself on me."

His wings dropped, seemingly bracing himself for the following reaction. Certainly Skyfire let out a distressed sound but he did nothing else as the two Seeker gaped at their leader. And then Thundercracker spoke.

"How could you say such a thing?"

"Yeah, Megatron would never do that, I can't believe you'd stoop so low," added Skywarp, looking grim as Starscream took a step backwards, colliding with his guardian.

For his part, Ironhide stared in complete shock, he couldn't believe it. The two Seekers did not believe Starscream.

Author's note. What is the reaction to Thundercracker and Skywarp? Find out next time, until then.