Soundwave had been working diligently as ever over the last few days, but still the decoding was coming up short. Megatron's earlier comment had been correct; he was not as experienced with Autobot codes as the Autobot leader, but it would only be a matter of time. He just needed to keep working on it. He paused in his work, looking at the small section he had decoded. Something about various types of energon, but only fragments. He needed to focus on decoding the rest if the secret was to be truly revealed.

As he continued to work, he caught his own reflection in the screen, amidst the cybertronian characters. A thin silver face with red optics stared back. He had not even considered looking at his own face, and it seemed strange. The last time he had seen his face, was when he had been with Solarlight, and she had, for the first time took of his visor. She had told him how handsome he was, and made him look upon a reflective surface. Back when Cybertron was a vibrant world. Soundwave typed in a few commands, and the images of Cybertron as it was appeared on the screen. Dead, dark, destroyed. Nothing left of the world he envisioned, or even that or Lord Megatron's ideals, righting the wrongs of the Cybertronian council, creating a new golden era for Cybertron, which he would lead...where was that vision now?

All that seemed to be left was his own constant war against the Autobots. Soundwave looked sadly down. All this time, he had forgotten the devastation, ignored the destruction, and simply followed his lord's wishes, loyally supporting him without question all these years. Now, it was as though he had been blind, only to blessed with sight once more. But all he saw was the secret darkness that he had hidden from himself for so long. A darkness surrounding a dead Cybertron. Neither he, the decepticons , or Arcee, and the Autobots, had a home anymore. Arcee...

" It's nice to see you working efficiently again, Soundwave." Megatron spoke as he walked in. Soundwave turned and nodded a greeting, and calmly resumed his work, the images were gone in matter of seconds, but not fast enough. Megatron had caught a glimpse of them, and he looked curiously upon Soundwave. Megatron's gaze turned to the screen, alive with cybertronian characters, looking just beyond them to see the reflection of Soundwave within the screen. His red optics focused upon the very screen before him...As though he was trying to not look anywhere or at anything else....

" Still a mech of few words, I see. Any progress?" Megatron asked, looking over the various trails of data that littered the screen, finally ignoring the reflection. Soundwave relaxed after the moment of scrutiny had past.

" No, Lord Megatron. Part from a small set of information, which is incomplete, referring to different locations of certain types of energon." He kept his voice calm and nonchalant.

" Hmm.. Pray tell, does it indicate what type of energon?" Megatron asked, intrigued.

"No." Soundwave replied simply. Megatron nodded.

"This energon.. Which ever it may be, may give us more of an edge against the accursed Autobots... Focus on completing this set, relics or not, energon would prove to be a more valuable supply." Megatron ordered, as he turned to leave, his servos behind his back.

When the doors shut, Soundwave thanked primus for his own self control. A question had slowly formed, and began to burn heavily within his processors. If he had asked it, treason would have been the charge. He sighed as he returned to his work, falling deeper into the question, and finding his own loyalty...distant. The very question had been asked by Arcee within his dreams, but only now did the logic and nature of what it demanded had truly dawned on him.

" So, alone, what are you fighting for now, now there is no Cybertron left for either of us?"

Arcee sat at the cliff top again. The sun was now setting, but she still didn't feel like returning. She hadn't returned to base in three days, except for when she needed energon. It almost felt as though the base had suddenly become a prison, and every moment outside was a taste of freedom she had taken for granted before. . Don't be so stupid. He only Said 'may'. She thought, trying to reign herself in again. Yet as she wondered, she realised Optimus's and Ratchet's words were probably for the best. She cursed again at Soundwave, the infernal mech's face stuck in her mind.

She looked back to the rocky monument, standing proudly. I really wish you where here cliff. I could use someone right about now. She had considered confiding in Jack, but a part of her felt it was over his head. She still hadn't apologised to him for her words, now three days ago. She hadn't seen him either, but guessed either Bulkhead or 'Bee were driving him between work, home and school. The silence was broken as her comlink sounded. If it's bee trying to talk me into going back again- She paused, opening her comlink system, and Soundwave's voice filled her Audio processors.

" Hello, Arcee."

Arcee stared out over the landscape wide eyed as she heard his words.

" I would like to talk to you-"

"No. You listen, I don't know what you're your up to, but it ends now-"

" I have information that may prevent disaster befalling your brethren." He spoke quickly, and in a low voice.

Arcee paused.

" What information?" She questioned.

" Meet me at our last location, and I'll tell you." He said, simply.

" Wait-" Static revealed he had left, and she cursed. If she wanted to meet him, it meant using the ground bridge. But did she want to meet him? She thought about what had happened last time....to be saved by a decepticon...and then .. kissed... what if he does have information? Could I really forsake it for my own personal reasons? She looked back toward the direction of the base.

No. I couldn't.

Arcee walked in as quietly as she could. The control room was empty. It was late, and as she had thought, everyone was recharging, meaning the ground bridge was hers to use. Quietly walking over to the control panel, she searched it's past locations and found the coordinates she needed. She paused. It was silent, and it gave the base an eerie sense. An eerie sense she was going to disturb, and no doubt awaken the others. But there was no way to get there on wheels, not without a four days' journey. As she was about to open the ground bridge, she heard a small patter of feet. She whipped around quickly, aiming with her blasters. As she looked around, she saw nothing. the kids can't be here...She thought as she relaxed. She returned to open the ground bridge-

" Arcee-"

" Jack?!" She almost shouted, but then silenced herself, and knelt down to the small human.

" What are you doing here? Why aren't you at home?-"

" I've been waiting for you to come back. Optimus let me stay." Jack said, a little uncaringly. Arcee looked upon him sadly.

" Even after what I said to you?"

" Here on earth, we have a saying, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me.' And I know you didn't mean it. It was my fault. I should have left you alone." Arcee smiled gently at him,

" Actually...I think I kind of needed that, and I'm not mad about you telling Optimus either...." She smiled. Jack smiled back at her. "I'm sorry."

" Don't worry about it." He then looked over her behind her,, and saw the ground bridge ready to be fired up.

" Where are you going?" He asked, his face looking strangely at her. She looked to the ground bridge, and then back at Jack.

" Recon. But you can't tell anyone this time. Not even Optimus." Arcee spoke seriously. Jack looked at her questionably, but realised he owed her a secret.

" I promise, I won't tell anyone." He nodded. Arcee thanked him, and without waiting any longer, she opened the ground bridge, pausing at the sound, seeming louder than it normally was. She paused to look at Jack, and winked, glad he had stayed and waited for her. With one little load of her chest, she felt like she could handle the upcoming situation a lot better.

"Think you can handle ground bridge duty?" She smirked.

" Say no more." Jack said confidently, smiling happily at her, while remaining cautious. If she wouldn't tell him exactly what she was up to, he could only guess that she was possibly going to see Soundwave.

Soundwave had hardly debated what he was about to do. All he knew, was what he presently fought for was fast becoming a useless cause, and he had feelings for Arcee. While he had continued to work, he had found that his thoughts had drifted to the blue femme, and realised he truly had feelings for her. If there was any way to show Arcee these emotions, or even meet her, bargaining information was the best he had to offer; at his own risk. Being the always silent mech, he had been able to slip away as many aboard the ship were recharging, and even while many were working the later shifts. Yet his confidence lacked somewhat, and he found himself praying to primus he wasn't followed.

Arcee stepped out, seeing Soundwave's silhouette, standing with his back to her. The ground bridge closed behind her, and she quickly felt isolated. Standing where she was a few seconds, it seemed Soundwave had failed to hear her arrival. She walked cautiously, coming to stand on his left. She made sure there was at least a good distance between them. As she looked to him, he turned to look at her, and she turned away.

" You going to give me this information, then?" She asked, wanting to get back to base as soon as possible. She kept her gaze away from him, but his words brought her optics to his.

" How is your servo?" He asked. She looked at him curiously. " Your servo, I believe I injured it in battle." He spoke, looking over to the collapsed ruin of the cave. She followed his gaze and swallowed a lump in her throat. Why did he care?

" Fine. Care to tell me the information now?" She said, showing her impatience. But Soundwave ignored it.

" Good."

Arcee growled silently. Did he think this was all a game?

" That's it-"

" The information you want, is right here." He said, extending his arm, holding a small data cube. " I have yet to inform lord Megatron, and I won't until tomorrow. However, I would advise you to give it to Optimus Prime as soon as you can."

" You going to tell me what the information includes?" Arcee said, about to take the cube when he withdrew it slightly.

" You will find out soon enough."

Arcee looked down at the small cube, glowing lightly in his servo. She looked at him, seeing the same somewhat apathetic face that had haunted her. A thin scar remained of where she had attacked him. Silenced held them for a tense moment, the moonlight shining on them. Soundwave looked down at the cube and finally handed it over, There's no going back now.

Arcee took it, regarding him with a serious look. As she took it, Soundwave grabbed her left wrist, bringing her servo up into the moonlight to examine it. Arcee gasped in surprised, but the gentleness in which Soundwave held it, stopped her from reacting rashly. She felt herself freeze in place, unable to react. Soundwave looked other it with such tenderness, she had never believed a decepticon capable of such emotion. His optics then turned to look into hers, and she suddenly felt her faceplates heat up. He then let go.

" Forgive me." He spoke. His voice seemed regretful, but Arcee shook herself out of her shock and stepped back.

" This ends here. I don't know what your twisted processors are thinking, but it ends here." Arcee said steely. Soundwave looked up to the moon.

" Maybe they are twisted. All I can say, and I swear to Primus it's the truth, is I'm in love with you, and this will not end here."

Arcee felt her spark cease to shine. He... didn't just say that... She felt the full impact of his words, and felt a part of her almost...no. This was a lie. That's why there called Decepticons. She quickly turned to leave, but stopped. She spared a glance back, and Cliffjumper's haunting words, all but forgotten, came back to her. "How could you love a Decepticon?"She finally turned to leave without looking back again, she felt Soundwave's optics follow her as she left.

" AND where have YOU been?" Was the first thing she heard as she stepped back in to the base. Ratchet stood, his arms folded, with a suspicious look on his face. She looked surprised from him, to Optimus, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead. She sighed. This was not going to be easy. She looked to Jack-

" Don't even think of lying. Jack has already done that for you." Ratchet spoke.

" Recon." She said simply, keeping it short and sweet.

" What kind of recon?" Bulkhead queried, yawning. .

"The kind that could prevent the 'cons form getting an edge." She spoke seriously. She showed them the small cube Soundwave had given to her.

" So where did you get the data cube from?" Bumblebee beeped in surprise. Arcee paused as she stumbled slightly in her thoughts.

" A.. reliable source." She concluded, but even she wasn't a hundred percent sure about her own words. Worse was, she could feel everyone else pick up on her discomfort.

" From whom?" Ratchet asked, taking the data cube.

" A reliable source." She repeated, annoyed.

" Arcee, who gave you this information?" Optimus asked calmly. Arcee tried to look away, but sensibility forced not to give away her confused emotions. She couldn't keep the 'reliable source' a secret.

" Soundwave." She said, not looking away from their gazes as they looked at her shocked.

" Do you not know who Soundwave is?!" Ratchet said almost in hysteria. He was about to continue when Arcee broke in.

" Megatron's right hand mech I know-"

"Then you know not to trust him, or any 'con, right?" Bulkhead muttered. The words hit her deeply. For some reason...I want to trust him...

" How did you even come into contact with him?" Bumblebee beeped. Arcee was about to speak when Jack interrupted them all, having remained silent enough. Arcee made a mental note to thank him later.

" Guys! Give Arcee a break, okay? She may have information that could help us-"

" Does she still want to help? Last time I checked, she ignored Optimus, ignored you, ignored her duties and sneaks of in the middle of the night to meet Sound-"

" Ratchet, that is enough. While Arcee's actions are questionable, She has acted in our best interests, and this may prove valuable." Optimus spoke, quickly tired of the debate.

" Optimus, are sure we can trust this information?" Ratchet asked, looking questionably at Arcee. Optimus turned to her, signalling her answer determined it. Truth was, she didn't know if she could trust the information, but she wanted to. And if it's a trap.... She looked down at the data cube in Ratchet's servo, given to her from a mech who claimed to love her. If it was to do with energon though, it could prove disastrous if the decepticons laid their servos upon it.

" Yes. We can." She spoke confidently. Optimus regarded the answer cautiously.

" Then it is settled. Ratchet, decode this information immediately."

Ratchet, despite hiding a sour face, did as he was told. While Optimus talked to Bulkhead and Bumblebee, Arcee went to stand next to Jack.

" I didn't tell them anything." He said, as she approached.

" I know. Thanks for keeping it a secret."

" Your welcome." He said. He then looked up to her, a thin scar ran under her left Optic. " Arcee...did anything...you know...else happen?" Jack enquired, timidly. Arcee shook her helm, and whispered.

" No, if your thinking I was... kissed again, you wrong."

" But?" Jack asked, knowing from the strange look upon her face something else had transpired.

" But..." Arcee paused, not sure if she should tell him. As she looked around, she saw the remains of one secret. Everyone was suspicious of her, and the last thing she needed was to black Jack out as she had for the last few days.

"...But nothing." She sighed heavily.