"Arcee....She.....Megatron..." Jack found it hard to swallow anything he had just been told, what he was seeing. His partner was gone, forced to be a decepticon, and everyone, albeit the medic, were injured, none more so than Optimus, who rested on a med berth.

" She had no choice. She truly has feelings for Soundwave..." Ratchet said somberly.

" And Megatron left her with no alternative." Bulkhead replied, sat with his servo clutching his arm, still sore, even though he had been lucky to avoid the full swing of the blade, which would have surely severed his arm. Bulkhead could think of little besides the choice Arcee was forced to make, and the speed of Megatron, his strength...He hadn't taken long to cut Optimus down to size at all.

" What about last minute heroics? You know, catching him of guard-"

"It never that simple, Miko. If only we had realised....and actually allowed Soundwave instead of being so sceptical..." Ratchet said, rather abruptly, before looking sadly to Optimus. He would be alright, but it would be a while before he was back on his feet. His chest was heavily damaged, as was his legs. Most of the side of his face was also cracked as well, for now Ratchet had only stabilised the wounds. Optimus needed to rest before he continued. When the kids had arrived later that day, they were just as shocked as Ratchet had been. Now, they tried to comfort their partners; yet Jack sat alone, and everyone had to admit, Arcee was already sorely missed.

" We will find a way to bring her back, right?" Bumblebee asked, destroying the silence. Bulkhead was quick to give his consent.

"Of course. And Soundwave as well. We owe it to them... to them both." Bulkhead agreed.

" And how do you propose that? If anything, Arcee will be nothing more than a prisoner, and he will try and extract every last piece of data for her processors, the location of base, for instance. It will be Megatron who will find us first, before we find Arcee." Ratchet said irritably. Everyone shot him a look, and as he looked to Jack, he realised his words had been a little insensitive. He sighed.

" Jack, I'm sorry. The reality is, she is on her own...unless primus gives us a miracle, it.. May be along time before we see her again..." He spoke, his frame slumping.

Jack shook his head.

" No...She's not alone. If Soundwave has feelings for her, I'm sure he'll protect her, and they'll find away to escape together."

Arcee walked deflated, in front of Megatron who watched her every move. If felt good to walk triumphantly behind what was, in reality a prisoner. She would never be a decepticon, that much he knew. She was only here until she and Soundwave could escape. If that happened, they would both die, or just one of them would-either way, he would make them suffer.

Arcee glanced briefly at him, before quickly turning away as he caught her gaze.

"A decepticon should be proud and unafraid, Arcee. Shying away is only a sign of weakness." Megatron stated.

" Weakness is those who have to force others to serve them because there to weak to do it for themselves." Arcee muttered, quiet enough so he couldn't hear. They walked on in silence, down the many halls of the Nemesis, until he gestured her to enter a room. She walked in, and found it empty, except for a berth, a side table and a few lights. She felt slightly nervous, as she heard the door close behind them.

" This will be your quarters, do with it what you wish."

" Is there any reason why its next to a guarded room?" Arcee questioned, having seen out of the corner of her optic, only a short way down the hall, two Vehicon standing as guards. Megatron laughed.

" As I did with Optimus, or, should I say, Orion Pax, I will keep you under surveillance. I heard the emptiness in your oath, Arcee. Your allegiance to the decepticons only runs as deep as is needed to keep you and Soundwave alive."

Arcee glared at him.

" Nevertheless, you have full access to anywhere on the ship. Your energon rations will be that as Soundwave's, mere sustenance."

Arcee found the level of freedom disconcerting, and what was worse, he hadn't asked for any information yet. She turned to him.

" And me and Soundwave? Are we allowed to meet?" She questioned, finding it hard to hide the hope in her voice. Megatron remained silent, looking expectantly at her. She looked away. "Lord..Megatron."

He smiled in satisfaction.

" Only when I deem it so. Otherwise, you shall not pass any message or glance until such a time."

I'm sure I can find other ways around that. Arcee thought to herself.

" You shall have duties assigned, of course- they are to be completed, without fail." He then stepped closer. "And when I order you to fight- you will do so, without question. When I ask for information, you will give it without question. Do I make myself clear?" Megatron said sternly, his own optics bearing upon hers. Again, he waited expectantly.

" ...Yes, Lord Megatron."

He smiled, before sharply grabbing her arm.

" Now, before I conclude our little chat, there's one more thing..."

Behind his visor, Soundwave's optics slowly opened, and as his frame awoke with him, pain swept over his circuits. He gasped, but it wasn't audible. He remained still. What...happened? He thought, as the memories slowly pieced together. Guilt took over as he remembered; Arcee had agreed to join the decepticons, to save his life. Why...why didn't I watch my back? He thought miserably. The last memory, annoyingly vague played itself. Nothing but a blur of forms, and her face, defeated, sad...

He gently pushed himself up, feeling tender pangs of pain as he moved joints all to happy to remain still. He looked down and carefully examined the sword wound- it was poorly patched up, leaving a hideous scar. Clearly this was not something Megatron intended him to forget. He looked around the Nemesis' med bay. Gloomy as ever. But there was no one else present. He looked to the doors, and through the windows he saw a few Vehicrons working as they always were.

Arcee...

I have to find her.

He went to stand and froze as he felt pain run his frame. On the outside, the wound was an ugly scar; inside, it seemed less care had been taken within. Soundwave cursed silently; his thoughts turned to Knockout. The medic, despite actually being good, and arrogantly knowing he was, had certainly let his work slip.

Soundwave gingerly stepped forward; then again. He came to bare the pain, and set of searching for Arcee. He walked passed the drones, ignoring there words telling him to return to the berth. He left the Med bay, and looked left and right. He took his left; Arcee was either being held in a cell or...

But Megatron made her swear to be a decepticon...how would he treat her? Like every other prisoner? No...her knowledge is invaluable...and she swore to be a decepticon...

He felt anger rise at Arcee being left in such a position. Distressing scenarios continued to fill his processors as he continued to walk awkwardly. Would she have been tortured? Mistreated? Would they have attempted to touch her in a way...? Soundwave shook his head. The last thought was not worth thinking about.

As he turned a corner, A red mech appeared before him, with a surprised look that crossed his faceplates. But before the mech could react, Soundwave suddenly pinned him to the wall with his tentacles, bitterly fighting the pain.

"Where is Arcee?!"He demanded.

It took knockout a nano second to compose himself. The mech smiled coyly.

" What Arcee are you referring to, mein freund? I thought she was an Autobot?" He asked mockingly. He suddenly brought his knee to Soundwave's torso, and the mech stepped back, and fell kneeling to the floor, clutching his side in pain. It felt even worse than the initial blow had, as his frame felt weaker.

" Oh, I know, The Arcee you love so much...Well, last I checked, Megatron was having a good chat with her...I think they were in a cell of some sort..." Knockout spoke, posing as though he was deep in thought. Soundwave suddenly stood, his servo raised to attack-

"THAT is enough." Megatron's voice suddenly boomed. Soundwave froze in place, While Knockout looked smugly at him.

" Stand down now." Megatron's tone aloud no leeway, and pure authority shone in his optics, now the normal blood red colour they always were. " NOW." Megatron suddenly repeated.

Soundwave relaxed his frame, but stood alert, looking at Knockout, who only smiled at the void of his visor. Soundwave looked back to Megatron.

" I suggest you follow me." Megatron commanded. He already began walking away, and Soundwave spared a glance, behind his visor, full of menace. Knockout just smirked as he walked away in the opposite direction. Soundwave then began to follow Megatron, still walking awkwardly.

"What have you done to her?"Soundwave questioned, destroying the silence with silent words. Megatron spared an uninterested glance, but didn't answer. He would see soon enough. Soundwave looked on. They hadn't walked down to the lower levels of the Nemesis, where the cells were. They were on the level were each decepticon had there own quarters; They had only just passed his own. After walking for what seemed like an eternity, Megatron finally stopped. He stood before a door, and gestured him inside.

Soundwave's spark rose and fell at the same time; seeing Arcee cured his pain. However, she was unmoving, laying on a berth opposite them. Energon stained her chest, to close to her spark chamber for Soundwave's comfort.

Arcee....

He stepped forward slowly, and then rushed to her side. He gently lifted her helm.

"Arcee? Arcee!"

She didn't respond. Soundwave looked over her, concern hidden by his visor. He then tuned his own helm sharply towards Megatron.

"WHAT have you DONE?"He demanded.

" You need not threat; She is only resting. Since Knockout was busy repairing you, there was no one else to implant the device. As you can probably tell, I am not adept at such lowly tasks." Megatron grinned, placing his hands behind his servo's behind his back.

Soundwave's optics narrowed behind his visor.

"What device?"

" Perhaps it would be better to demonstrate..." Megatron smiled cruelly. As Soundwave went to protest, his spark stopped, as Arcee began to scream.

Soundwave quickly clutched her close, but she didn't stop, as she lent into him, her frame curling up in pain.

" STOP THIS."

Megatron just smiled.

"STOP THIS NOW!"

Arcee's screams suddenly silenced, and her frame relaxed into his arms. He gently stroked her helm, as she went back into stasis lock once more.

" I think you know why this device was implanted- I can activate from anywhere, on this ship, or not. The moment I hear you've both tried to escape, or your activity becomes suspicious, she will suffer. OF course, likewise, if she does similar acts, I will personally torture you myself."

Soundwave looked back down to Arcee, feeling energon tears fall down his faceplates. Primus truly has forsaken us...Soundwave looked up, as Megatron turned to leave.

" Enjoy your time together; you will not get many moments as this one."

With that, the door hissed shut, leaving the two alone, together for the first time.

Time had never seemed so precious; always, it seemed the war continued to rush towards an uncertain future, with an unknown victor- Time hardly became a factor of length, but of shortness. Soundwave found the current time an odd mix of the two. He hadn't imagined the first time they would actually be able to spend time together, would be in such a state. Yet arguing against it was out of the question. He was suddenly pulled out of his reverie as Arcee awoke slowly, still held in his arms.

Her optics looked up unsure, but then quickly recognised the mech who held her.

"Is this a dream?" She remarked, tiredly. Soundwave smiled to himself.

"If only it was."He replied sadly, wishing, as in a dream, one could change everything. "How are you feeling? Are you still feeling any pain at all?"

"Not anymore...but what he did to me..." Arcee looked away, ashamed of the fear she had felt as Megatron had, as it had felt, literally ripped her apart. Soundwave looked down to the claw like marks that crossed her chest plates. He hated to even imagine how it had happened. He heard Arcee sigh as she sat up, and he released her.

"And you? I wasn't sure Knockout was exactly showing of his skills as a medic." Arcee said, looking to the scar left by the sword.

" It's fine."

"Don't lie to me. I've seen enough repairs to know what's good and what's not." Arcee said sternly. Soundwave gave in, but only out of admiration that her strength still shone in her words.

" Then no, it is a poor job, but my self healing systems should take care of it."He admitted. Arcee entwined her own servo with his.

"I wish I could do more..." Arcee spoke contemplatively, wishing Ratchet was present. Soundwave gently tightened his grip on hers.

"You've done more than I could have ever allowed you to, or even dreamed of. I swear by primus we shall escape, and I will reunite you with your friends."

" Not exactly the easiest goal to aim for...but one nonetheless." She replied, dropping her sarcastic tone on the last few words. She then surprised him- She kissed the top of his helm, and lent into him.

" Do you know how long we have together?" She asked. Soundwave shock his helm.

"No."

They both sat in silence, savouring every moment they could hold each other. Soundwave looked down to her.

" What ever Megatron asks of you, you don't have to do. I know he will force you to things that go against your very nature."

" Only for him to hurt you again? Are your processors wounded to?" She remarked. Soundwave shook his helm.

" No. I don't want you to be forced into decisions for my sake-"

"Soundwave, you are my sake- I do this as much for you as I do for me. I will not loose another partner ever again." Arcee said, cutting him of. " If I asked the same of you, you would do the same."

Soundwave nodded. It was true, and a fact he would have to live with.

"What about your Human friend?"

" Jack? I have to admit, he's the one I miss the most... but he will be fine. And I know I'll see him again. I have a feeling you will get on well with him." Arcee said, smiling lightly at the prospect.

"You believe so?"

" I know so. He in some way seemed to believe me..." Arcee replied.

" I'm sorry. I didn't mean for everyone to think you were a traitor..."

"It wasn't your fault.... Things just seemed to spiral out of control." Arcee said, as she reflected on the reactions she had witnessed. Her thoughts then drifted to the energon stains on Megatron's armour and sword. She wondered if they were alright, and preyed to primus they all were. Her spark felt heavy, and she wished events could have been different, that everything could have been different...

" I miss your voice, and your optics." Arcee suddenly commented. Soundwave brought his arms to hug her closer.

" It can be fixed....Perhaps if Ratchet's as good as you say he is, it will be of no problem. My visor on the over hand, may not be as easy..."

"I broke it once, I can break it again. Trust me on that one." Arcee said mockingly, gently bringing a finger to tap it lightly.

" We have to escape first."

" So, tell me. What's the plan?"