All Hail Lord Starscream; Ruler of the Decepticons and Emperor of Cybertron.

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"So, how's your head?" Skywarp laughed nervously as he continued to clean his quarters.

"Not as bad as it was this morning." Starscream watched Skywarp's futile attempts at cleaning. "You don't need to..." The other Seeker had picked up objects looked at them and thrown them aside into a steadily growing heap.

"What the frag is this?" Skywarp studied an object and then tossed it aside into a pile of what appeared to be other similar yet unidentified objects.

"Skywarp..." Starscream became very nervous as he identified the object that Skywarp so blithely tossed aside. "Why do you keep nuclear weapons in your room? You don't just toss them idly aside like that. They sometimes go off...and we are at ground zero." Starscream was very alarmed. Skywarp studied the pile and shrugged. He didn't see why Starscream was so concerned. He figured if something was going to explode, it would have by now.

"I would order you to stop but Thundercracker says I am temporarily relieved of command." Starscream said somewhat irritated still eyeing the nuke in the corner. Starscream wondered what else Skywarp kept in this death trap he called a room.

Skywarp grinned at Starscream. "He lied."

"I thought as much." He wondered how anyone could collect so much junk.

"Megatron decided we should lay low for a few days." Skywarp shoved a mass of debris off of a chair and sat down.

"Hmmm, I am out the air for at least fourteen days, how are you managing?" He felt concern for Skywarp. The dark Seeker looked depressed. It was not surprising after what he had been put through. Starscream shot another worried glance around the room. Considering what Starscream, had been through himself and still going through it was a surprise even to him that he was willing to try to forgive and forget, he had to, the internal personal battles could easily destroy the Decepticons.

"Alright, but the Autobots are kinda suspicious due to our lack of activity." Said Skywarp changing the subject.

"I am not concerned for the Autobots right now. I am worried about you." Starscream said with mild annoyance. He glared momentarily at Skywarp.

Skywarp began to shift and move about in his chair nervously.

"Listen, Skywarp, I am no more comfortable about this than you are. Thundercracker insisted I see you now." Starscream glowered at Skywarp as the dark Seeker crossed his arms defensively and sat glaring at the floor.

"Can we drop our shields for a moment please?" Asked Starscream seeing a sudden no win situation. He thought for a moment. He needed something to break the tension a random comment would suffice. He looked Skywarp in the optics, his face was deadpan and said in the most soothing manner he could, "Will you marry me 'Warp?" A smile suddenly curled at the corner of Starscream's lip as he broke off the eye contact.

Skywarp's jaw dropped as he looked stunned at Starscream's gall. Unable to keep his scowl he laughed nervously. "Ok, fine, but you're wearing the dress." He responded with a slight grin.

Starscream chuckled. "Really, though, only you can crack the spontaneous jokes that are any good."

Skywarp began to relax. "Look Screamer, I just wanna..." He began to tense again. "Ah frag...I guess I wanna say I'm sorry. I know I've been a big pain but so have you. You know as well as anyone how much I hate being a desk jockey. Why did you let it happen?"

Starscream rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Sometimes I don't have a choice in the matter. I should have objected more. You know I hate flying with Dirge." He eyed the other Seeker in the dimly lit room trying to read emotions that lay under the surface. Frustration and unease were prevalent.

"Megatron talks about how we all need to get along... Well it's hard when you get pushed aside and replaced like I did. I am one of the most loyal Decepticons and I get treated like slag for it." Skywarp was pained.

Starscream cringed at the mention of slag. 'Slag work is meant for SLAG... And you are SLAG!' came the memory most vividly. After that everything was a haze. "I brought that assault down upon myself, I should have asked how you felt and I should not have called you uh... Slag." He winced painfully at a memory.

Skywarp chuckled softly. "That didn't bother me as much as you may think it did. To be honest I wasn't really mad at you. I just used you as a punching bag... Uh sorry... Should have used a better analogy."

'It did not bother him?!' He thought rancorously. 'It bugged him enough to slam me in the head until I was half dead.' Starscream's optics flickered for a second as he battled to get his angry emotion under control. He looked up at Skywarp and spoke in a contemplative tone. "Those things human boxers practice on. I know what you mean. Interesting sport, barbaric but interesting." Gladiator sports on Cybertron were more brutal, but on Earth bloodshed in the name of entertainment was frowned upon. Humans even cried out against animal blood sports such as bull fighting and dogfights. Yet they still entertained themselves with horror films that depicted such violent acts in far greater detail.

"Heh, karate is better." Skywarp shook his head to bring himself back to the original topic. "I guess I was mad at myself. I should have spoken up, you had no idea I was upset."

'Yes you should have spoken up.' Thought Starscream with a sigh. "Well hindsight is twenty - twenty to use a human term. In other words, Skywarp, you will always see things perfectly when you look back upon them."

Skywarp slowly nodded his head trying to hide his ignorance of the term.

Starscream smiled wryly. "I should perhaps apologize for neglecting you and I have to praise you for your strength." Starscream's voice was loaded with praise and admiration.

Skywarp proudly sat up straight.

"I don't think any other Decepticon aside of his royal nibship has managed to take me down so quickly. That's something I think you can be proud of." Starscream's praise was genuine.

Skywarp laughed intensely. "You really think highly of yourself don't you? You're a Seeker, I'm a Seeker... Our strength is pretty equal. I caught you off guard, as I often do." Skywarp grinned.

Starscream reflected looking up at the bare ceiling. "I was sure I had you under my control, so yes I did let my guard down. But let's forget that. I need you as my wing mate. Not as my enemy." He rested his gaze back onto Skywarp.

"Even if I hated you, I would never do anything against you. As long as you are my commanding officer I will follow your orders. Unless I catch you with your paws in Megatron's cookie jar." Skywarp cautioned.

Starscream decided that he would not comment on that. He could not make a promise he would likely never keep. The red Seeker laughed nervously. "So when I can fly where do you want to go? I will be itching to get off this base." He attempted to change the topic to something more pleasant.

Skywarp thought for a moment. "I don't know. I still feel kinda uneasy around you."

"Do you prefer Dirge's company?" Inquired Starscream dryly. He felt equally uneasy about Skywarp.

Skywarp chuckled nervously. "It's not that, You know Screamer, everyone thinks I'm the stupid one around here but you seem pretty dense right now, and don't try to blame the injury."

"Uh? How so?" Asked Starscream genuinely confused. He was unsure of what Skywarp was trying to say.

"Don't make me spell it out for you." Skywarp felt as though Starscream was simply beating around the bush. He was becoming quite agitated.

"I don't think you are as daft as you seem." He sighed. "There is something about the fight that disturbs me deeply and something about Megatron's reaction that also disturbs me greatly. Things will fall into place after a while and it will all be more or less normal."

"What did you find disturbing?" Asked Skywarp suddenly interested.

"It's not something I think I need to discuss." Said Starscream defensively as he looked around nervously his optics flickered with unease.

"Uh Screamer, I was in that fight too, remember? What was it that bothered you so much?"

"Yes, I remember." Starscream said with a little annoyance leaking into his voice.

"Well, maybe if you tell me we can get past this." Skywarp let his guard down. He truly hoped they could settle the matter once and for all.

"'Warp I would love to tell you but I am not overly certain I can or if I should."

Skywarp looked at the floor in despair.

"Primus Skywarp...." Starscream rubbed his head idly with an azure hand. "I should not have said anything. I really should have not mentioned that it bothered me." The air commander's voice was full of annoyance.

Skywarp grimaced.

"But you are going to hassle me till I spill it or talk to me in my recharge cycle and draw it from me that way." Starscream looked at Skywarp uneasily in the optics.

Skywarp laughed. "Nah you don't talk as much as TC."

"What?! You mean you have tried?" Starscream was mortified.

Skywarp quickly teleported from one side of the room to the other to remind Starscream of his stealth. The other Seeker only shrugged.

"I've tried to get you to talk. You're not very interesting."

"Good." He said feeling awkward. Skywarp was truly nosey.

"I guess I do weird things when I get bored, I don't really mean any harm. Anyway other than beating the living slag out of you, what did I do that disturbed you so?" Skywarp knew Starscream would never truly understand him and his ways.

Starscream was disappointed he had hoped that Skywarp would have forgotten the question. "Do you know the various methods in which rank is conferred upon an individual?"

"Obviously not. I put in for... um no." Skywarp stopped himself mid-sentence. He decided that the secret he was about to divulge would only cause more hurt and resentment.

Starscream's interest was peaked in what Skywarp had to say but the other Seeker cut himself off before he could finish his sentence. "There are a couple methods: Promotion when a position is made vacant by the promotion or abdication of another, field promotion often done during wartime or on the battle field, usually when one's commander or such is killed in battle the next ranking officer assumes his place and... How do I say this..." Starscream did not really want to give Skywarp ideas. "Challenging ones higher ranking officer to a duel to the death...."

"You think I tried to kill you to get your position?" Skywarp said cutting Starscream off. He was insulted by the insinuation. He was not like Starscream.

"No. You would not do that. It is not like..."

"No I would not." He cut Starscream off again.

"I don't think you would anyway. But there is also Megatron's reaction to this..."

"Like him shooting me?"

Starscream nodded. "He does not like me much..."

"Gee I wonder why?" Skywarp scoffed.

Starscream was annoyed with Skywarp cutting him off. "There is more to our animosity than most see. It runs deeper..."

"You think he had ulterior motives in my mock execution?" Inquired Skywarp.

"I am not so certain it was mock..." Starscream let his sentence peter out.

Skywarp shuddered as he walked over to the chair and sat down.

"He wants me gone but he is too cowardly to do it himself. You failed to take me out..."

"So my failure to kill you pissed him off?" Interrupted Skywarp. "Why didn't he just kill me then?"

"If you had killed me you would have taken my rank by default." Starscream attempted to finish his first sentence before answering Skywarp's question. "Perhaps something about my reaction? I don't know. It's just a hypothesis."

"You're just trying to sway me! Forget it! I'm not joining your cause." Skywarp protested.

"I am not asking you too, Skywarp, you asked me what bothered me and I told you what bothered me." Starscream was annoyed.

Skywarp sat deep in thought. "You're very paranoid."

"Gee I wonder why," Said Starscream mockingly. He chuckled nervously. Skywarp glared at him. "Now is not the time for jokes." He admonished irritated at Starscream's mockery. "I don't know. I'm even more confused now than I was earlier; I don't know where I belong..."

"That is why I want to forget about it." Starscream injected.

Skywarp did not miss a beat. "Or what my purpose is. I can't just forget." It obviously did not bother him to be interrupted.

"Your purpose is to serve the Decepticons as you always have." Starscream consoled.

"I don't know. You've got me all confused. I think you should leave now Starscream."

"Skywarp..." Starscream sighed, rubbing the side of his face with his blue fingertips.

"Perhaps I can put it in a language you seem to understand. 'Something's going right here; I can feel a change near. It's just a thought I get, when everything's a mess. Higher risks have more to gain. Weakness shows in a flinch. Sometimes you gotta just play the game, but winning can be a bitch.' It's from a little known group called Beautiful Nothing. I can show you the rest of the song. It's on my datapad."

Starscream removed the datapad from his chest compartment and booted up the file with the words. He handed the pad over to Skywarp to take a look at the rest of the song.

"I think it sums a lot up. I'll get Thundercracker to take me back if that is your wish, I did not mean to distress you Skywarp, I am sorry, for everything." Starscream's countenance showed that he was hugely distressed. He wished he never had opened his big mouth. Everything he did not want to say came out. And what he really wanted to say was jammed inside along with his foot. 'Why did Thundercracker have to bring me here when I was not ready?' He wondered.

"Heh, I sometimes wish I could use songs to explain my feelings too. Sometimes I don't know how to say how I feel." Skywarp confided as he looked at the data pad.

"I can't seem say anything without adding my foot to the mix; I had hoped that this would save me that grief." Starscream said feeling dejected. He held his hand out for the datapad which Skywarp returned.

"At least you're good at it."

"Good at what? I do not grasp your meaning." Starscream was perplexed.

"Sticking your foot in your mouth," Skywarp said matter-of-factly.

"Indeed." He was insulted by Skywarp. "I'll get Thundercracker in here now." He quickly stood up and turned for the door.

"Uh wait," demanded Skywarp. "I feel this isn't really resolved yet. I don't think you truly understand how I feel."

"You're confused, angry, and resentful, I can understand that. You have made it plain you don't need me around." Starscream wanted to leave. He feared the direction the conversation might take. He also feared the pile of war heads idly tossed in the corner of the room.

"My eyes wide open but I still can't see. But I can smell the candle burning down. Looking over my shoulder for a reason why but you have the patience of a thief. Death living in my eyes. I'm walking under some heavy skies. Nothing is gonna stop me from falling down." Skywarp recited rhythmically.

Starscream shook upon hearing those words. "'Warp please... I don't like what I think you are trying to say." His voice cracked with fear.

"You don't seem to understand how this has affected me. You know I've always been loyal to the cause. Now I don't know where I stand. It'll take a long time before I can look Megatron in the optics again." Skywarp dropped his head in shame.

"I don't know what to say 'Warp." Starscream shook visibly. "But believe me when I say I'm so sorry this had ever happened to you. I'd ask for your forgiveness but I wouldn't take it."

Skywarp grimaced. "I need reassurance more than anything right now and I don't seem to be getting it. I need for you to do more than pat me on the head and say 'there there'." Skywarp began to raise his voice.

"I don't know how to reassure you. It's not my biggest strength. I can take your under my wing but I'm utterly clueless with this sort of thing." Starscream shook his head in frustration.

"I didn't ask you to make me a mini-me. What do you mean take me under your wing? I'm older than you anyway." Skywarp was offended.

"Here I go again, putting my foot in my mouth." Starscream was frustrated. Skywarp continued to twist his words around and sting him with them. "I don't have friendships like what you and Thundercracker have. I don't know how to reassure you. I want to; if what I see is what you said a moment ago I'm terrified." He looked at the dark Seeker in the dim light. "I prefer dishing out terror not being the recipient of it. I don't want you to feel that way. Nothing I can do or say can erase this. Primus, help me."

"What are you so afraid of? What do you think I'm gonna do?" Skywarp was angry at Starscream's insinuations.

"You have hit a new low in despondency. You have not been spared to feel this way. I can't stand to see you feel this way. I know what it sounds like. And I know you would not do it but if you were pushed I don't know...."

Skywarp was astonished. "I'm not a weak little Autobot. Suicide is never the answer. I just don't know where I fit in anymore and yes it depresses the hell outta me."

Starscream suddenly slumped back into his chair and put his head into his hands. He was frustrated beyond belief. Frustration and anguish welled up overwhelming him. "I can't seem say anything right." He screeched as he fought back the sob that wanted to follow.

Skywarp knelt down beside Starscream and put his hand on the Seeker's wing.

Starscream was unused to this sort of contact. He shot a sidelong glance at Skywarp. The other Seeker seemed concerned. Suddenly he felt embarrassed. "If anyone were to see me like this I'd be humiliated to all hell." Starscream sighed.

"Man this room is depressing. Do you think it's the color?" Skywarp joked.

"It's the junk." Muttered Starscream as he glanced around.

Skywarp laughed at Starscream's witty retort.

"It's the same color as my room. Gunmetal grey."

"Let's get out of here and get a drink."

"No Warp... I should not be out of the repair bay let alone in here." Starscream said nervously eyeing the pile of debris in the corner.

"Well, I really need a drink," Skywarp said somewhat irritated.

"Warp, please, promise me never to tell anyone I got like this. It would never do me any good to show a weakness."

Skywarp glowered intensely at Starscream.

"What? What did I say?" Starscream inquired apprehensively.

"You don't get it do you? It's always 'Starscream this and Starscream that'. You always have to be the center of attention. Even when it's my turn you show up. Quit being so ...ugh FRAG you're such a..."

Starscream was taken aback. He had been trying to keep to the topic of Skywarp's well being. Anger swelled in Starscream filling him fully, his optics blazed brilliant red in the dimly lit room. His hands balled into fists as he fought off the urge to give Skywarp a taste of his own medicine. "I AM SORRY I TRIED TO SAVE YOUR DAMNED LIFE!!!" His voice was shrill and loud full of anger and hurt. Suddenly his head throbbed and he held his hand to it for a moment. "Damn this... headache." He muttered, in a much softer tone.

"See, there you go again. 'Ow my head.' Whatever." Skywarp was irritated at Starscream's constant need to be the center of attention.

"Get off your high horse Skywarp, I promise next time I will stay out. I won't even try to save you." Hissed Starscream irritably.

"Good, you...you...FRAGGING PIECE OF AUTOBOT SLAG!!!"

Starscream struggled against his urge to scream living hell back down at Skywarp. Instead he lowered his voice. "We can't fight like this. We must stop. We will get ourselves both killed." He shot a glance at the door.

"Why? Are you afraid Megatron will hear?" Skywarp sneered still angry at what he saw as Starscream's selfishness.

Starscream looked about confused, angry, hurt and frustrated. Where did he go wrong? Was there a point in his life where he could have said no to all this? Why did he not leave? He wondered. Skywarp had seen his weakness. "Damn you Skywarp, why do you always have to be so cruel. There is another thing I'd rather not admit. But now I see I have to, if only to get my meaning through your thick skull so you might grasp why I acted as I did earlier. Why I tried to intervene. When I am done there will be few secrets I will have to call my own." Starscream glared at Skywarp, the corner of his mouth quivering in frustration.

Skywarp saw the hurt and confusion on Starscream's face and began to feel remorse.

"How do I explain this, humans have groups in which they interact. Small close knit units called families. The closely related parts are called siblings; brothers and sisters..."

"I know what human family units are." Skywarp angrily interjected. He assumed Starscream was making accusations about his intelligence again.

"You and Thundercracker act like close brothers." Starscream continued. "I also see you as such if not as close. We are Seekers, the three of us so much alike, in physical and alternative form, yet, we are so damned different. That is why I ran to your rescue. I did not want us to lose a 'brother'."

"So, you're saying that like human siblings, we're stuck with each other whether we like it or not?"

"More or less, yes," Starscream felt that Skywarp had oversimplified the explanation but figured it was all right as long as the dense Seeker understood.

Skywarp shook his head and laughed.

"You can disown a family member but they are never gone. They are still a slagging part of you." Starscream knew that was not quite what he meant to say.

Skywarp rubbed his face in frustration.

The Air commander took a deep breath to expel some of his frustration; it was so simple really why the heck was Skywarp being so dense? "Ok to put it another way," Starscream continued, "Thundercracker is broody enough, you keep him in check." Starscream sighed heavily at Skywarp who looked perplexed and confused. "I see I have to explain this further... don't take it as an offence. If you were gone, Thundercracker would not have that person he depends on to keep him happy. He is the only one who seems to stand your jokes for an extended period of time. I can't say I understand your bond but I see it. He would become almost useless to us if you were not around. Like the opposite sides of a scale you keep each other balanced. Remove one from the balance and the scale tips and stability is lost." Starscream demonstrated this idea with his hands. "Thundercracker also is not as disobedient as I am, he would not have interfered. I had to. Whether I like it or not I need you two. Whether I like it or not I have to try to keep my distance and be unemotional to you and others. Can you grasp what I am trying to say?"

Skywarp sighed, "Yeah, I get it. My jokes, stupidity and loyalty keep you and TC out of trouble."

"Yes, sort of." Agreed Starscream not fully satisfied with Skywarp's response.

Skywarp grimaced as Starscream appeared to miss the "stupidity" part of his sentence.

"And your position is just under me. I answer to Megatron. You answer to me and to him and every one else to us." Starscream gloated.

"What is it with you and rank? Who gives a frag who is in what position as long as it get done?" Skywarp did not think the way Starscream did. His rank was not important to him as long as he was allowed to frag Autobots.

"Primus!" Starscream exclaimed.

"What?" Skywarp was confused as to why Starscream was so exasperated.

"I am trying to reassure you but I only succeed in setting you on fire."

"I'm not like you. I don't care who's above or below me. I was angry because the Coneheads got to go on missions and I was stuck here, but other than that I don't give a frag." Skywarp paused for a moment. His expression and voice softened. "You wanna know something?"

Starscream looked worried. "I am not sure I want to know but go ahead."

"When the air commander position opened up, I put in for it. Obviously I didn't get it. Did it bother me that you, who are younger and less experienced, got it? Yes. Did I disobey your orders and give you hell for it? No. I figured Megatron had his reasons and I was willing to leave it at that." Skywarp spoke rapidly. His tone was straightforward.

"I… You uh what?" Starscream was stunned.

"I never asked and he never told me why he gave it to you instead." Skywarp's voice remained calm.

"I... ugh.... did not know." Starscream's voice trailed off. He could see disappointment in his optics. It was not surprising that Megatron had not told Skywarp why he did not get the position. Yes he had the experience and the dedication, but Skywarp lacked the motivation. Again the scales came to mind. Thundercracker often had to goad Skywarp into doing his job. He could not be left unsupervised. He figured Megatron was only sparing the Seeker's feelings by not informing him he was just a little too dense to do the job well. Starscream felt a pang of pity. Skywarp was really only trying to do his best. That was all anyone could really ask for.

"I was in this army when you were still at the academy. I should outrank YOU." Skywarp's tone became angry. He stopped for a moment and reflected. "But I don't care…"

Skywarp and Starscream both jumped as a pile of debris fell over.

"Whhhaaaaa? This place is pitiful." He shot a worried stare at the pile of dangerous things in the corner.

Skywarp shrugged. "I know where everything is."

"Yes, on the floor. Megatron would have a slag fit if he were to call a random chamber inspection."

Skywarp grinned. "Rumble and Frenzy usually conduct those. They'd get lost in here."

"Perhaps I should take you under my wing and teach you house keeping techniques." Starscream grinned slyly.

"About that drink?" Skywarp really needed a release and getting plastered seemed like a good idea.

"Hook will flay me."

"Then come watch ME drink."

"I personally need to re-fuel. I've broken every other rule that has ever been made, why should I stop now? Come then, locate Thundercracker and we can sit in my quarters. More room and less of a health hazard." Starscream wondered whether or not he should call Bonecrusher and Long Haul to come clean this place out. "And don't worry about energon I have my own personal stash."

Skywarp stuck his head out of his quarters and yelled, "THUNDERCRACKER ENERGON CALL."

Solace Bittersweet