"So? Do you use these roads often?" The motorbike sped along the dusty desert road, going nowhere in particular. 

You were happy to be out after being cramped up all the time and there's nothing like taking a drive on a transforming, alien robot to get rid of any cabin fever. 

"Sometimes Jack and I will come out and race or test how fast we can go, but other than that there's usually no time." Arcee casually states. 

'Ha! Knockout will make time. That guy would take any chance he can get to go racing...' you think as you look down at your hands on the handlebars. Everything was darkened through the visor of your helmet.

There's a small pang in your ribcage. 

'...and he would smirk when I begged him to go with him. Damn that smirk.'

A smile made its way onto your features, only to be replaced by a frown. 'Would you ever see him again?' 

The road you were on, despite not being kept very well, wasn't that bumpy. The Nevada desert that surrounded you, though it could use some more colour, wasn't all that dull if you looked out for the right things. Small creatures like lizards and wild cats could be seen every so often; the cacti and succulents were all green with occasional flower of a different hue; there were many big, swirling rocks and massive shade-providing boulders...

"Hey. You okay?" 

Smiling sadly under your helmet, you nod. "I'm fine Arcee." 

"I know that look (Y/N). It's the look someone has when they're missing someone close to them."

"What makes you think that?" you question your friend. 

"Because it's the same look I get when I'm thinking of Cliffjumper..." 

Your heart goes out to the Cybertronian femme. You knew it was tough on her to speak about her partner.

"I'll be okay, Cee." you try to reassure her with a pat.

"If you're sure-"

Arcee came to a slow halt, bringing your attention back to the road that laid before you. The area was desolate for all you could see, but Arcee didn't stop because she saw something. She was picking up a signal, and it was approaching- fast. 

"Whatever happens, don't let go (Y/N)." The two-wheeler moves somewhat under you, getting ready should it be necessary to fight or flee. 

"Arcee, why? What's up?" 

But she stays quiet. It was at that moment that you saw something coming over one of the far off slopes. It came closer and closer at inhuman speed... 

...Because it wasn't a human driving. 

Within seconds a red blur belts past, pushing up dust. Instead of disappearing into the distance, it stays and then proceeds to make donuts around you. 

"Ah! Arcee! What's a femme like you doing in a place like this?" came the smooth voice of Knockout.

"I could ask you the same thing." she retorted sharply. "Won't your paint get scratched?" You could tell Arcee was getting ready to make a break for it. 

"Usually, yes, but this time..." the Aston Martin transforms, his taunting tone turning to a sneer full of malice, "I will make an exception. Hand her over." 

Arcee, realising that Knockout could all too easily grab you in this form, also transforms: you in her servos. "Not a chance, Con." 

Knockout growls and un-subspaces his staff, electricity crackling from the end. Arcee, knowing that you could die from a shock with so much voltage, places you down whilst getting into a crouched position. 

Her two blades are unseathed as she lunges up. She kicks the red mech in the helm. Soon she follows it up with a slash aimed at his chest. 

Knockout is quick to retaliate, hitting her over the helm with the staff. He then brings it down, the electric part barely missing her. 

"Knockout! Stop that you idiot!!! She's a girl!" 

The medic, almost dazed when hearing your voice after so long, forgets about the femme he was fighting for the briefest of moments. 

And then he gets hit in the face for the briefest of moments. 

After being sent reeling back by the blow, he comes back to Earth. "So what if she's a femme!?" Knockout agitatedly hurls back. "She hit me first!" 

"And I'll hit you again if you don't back off! I won't let you take (Y/N)!" The blue femme steps in front of you prospectively.

Knockout splutters, "You're the one who kidnapped her from me!"

"Guys! Guys! Can't we settle this without fighting?" 

There's a pause as blue and red optics meet your eyes. 

"..."

"I'll race you for her." Knockout puts away his staff and crosses his arms over his chest. 

"There's now way I-" 

"Please Arcee." you plead with her. 

Sighing, she gives in. "Fine. Where will we race?" 

Knockout simpers, "You see that tall rock arch?" You turn to spot the arch not too far away down the road. "First one to get there and back, wins." 

Arcee nods and struts up to Knockout. "You're on." She transforms. 

K.O, happy with himself, turns to look at you. Just a final glance to make sure you were still really there and not just a mirage or figment of his imagination. The smile and wave you give him eases his processor.

With a wink, he transforms as well, "(Y/N), be a doll and give us the signal, won't you?" 

With a sigh, you walk up behind them. There was no way you were standing in front of them. There were too many scary memories from the times you joined Sierra at races...

"On your marks!"

Knockout lines up next to the Autobot femme.

"Get set!" 

Both engines start up.

"..."

"..."

"GO GO GO!"

They take off with a large plume of dust following.

Arcee is immediately in the lead. This, however, did not concern Knockout at all- he enjoyed playing with his opponents. 

Pushing down on the throttle, the red sports car passes the motorcycle. 

Arcee, not taking any chances of losing her new-found friend to a Decepticon, accelerates. 

Both the rivals were evenly matched. One barely surpasses the other when they catch up once again.

They are both front wheel to front wheel as they reach the arch. 

It was here that the tydes changed.

Arcee, being much more nimble, easily swivels around and takes off back towards the starting point. 

Knockout though... 

The medic slammed on the brakes, jerked the steering wheel to a side and swerved 180 degrees, bringing him a few seconds behind Arcee. 

"FRAG!"

This was racing. Every second counts. Knockout made a mistake. 

But he would not lose. 

In a desperate last move, the red mech aims a ray he "borrowed" at an oblivious Arcee. A single shot sends her skidding out of control, causing her to transform and go crashing into some rocks.

She was knocked out. 

The medic reached the finish line and, finally, you. He comes to a halt before you, door already open. "Come on Doll!" 

But you didn't budge. You were too busy staring, shocked, at your motionless friend. "Arcee..." 

Knockout sighs, "We don't have time for this. She's unconscious, not offline! Now get in!" He then simply uses his door to bump you so that you fall onto his seat.

He speeds off- your eyes not leaving Arcee. 

'How could he cheat like this...?'