It was early in the morning when Sunstreaker showed back up. The room was dark, sun hasn't even rose up into the sky yet. The first thing that caught his eye, was the sleeping femme laying still on his twin's chest. Part of him wanted to be happy that they were together and must have had a good day together for her to being on his chest, but the other half wanted to snatch her away and scream at his brother for holding her. He decided to clean himself up first, before going into recharge for a little while. His trip had gotten him covered in dirt and grime. He also smelled and if his brother were to get a whiff, he would know exactly where he was. After a long shower he sat down on his berth, looking at the sleeping forms. The smaller one soon began to stir. She was feeling eyes on her, her sixth sense kicking in. Her eyes fluttered open and adjust to the lack of light. It didn't hide the bright energon blue glow of the optics staring down at her.

"Sunstreaker?" She wondered if it was real or a trick of the light. "Hi Nichole." His husky voice said as silently as he could. She didn't want to seem too excited but ended up doing it anyway. She quickly jumped up and off Sideswipe, running across the nightstand over to him. He felt a smile creep on his face as he watches her run to him. She slowed to a walk as soon as she was close. She reached out her hand and placed it on his faceplate. This was something she never really did up until now. It was either she was in his servo or he was in holoform when they touched. Holding hands was as far as it ever got. Every now and then he would kiss her hand, but it never went any further. "How was your trip?" She wondered caressing his cheek. "It was good." "I see you made it back in one piece." He let out a quiet chuckle. "Yeah I did. I had too. I wouldn't look good if I was missing pieces." Now it was her turn to chuckle. "You should probably rest. We can talk later." She suggested. With a nod, he closed his optics. Then they snapped open as he felt a pair of lips pressing onto his cheek, surprising him. She turned away before he could say anything and laid down beside him, her back to him.

Though the kiss was only on the cheek, it meant the world to him. It was a step closer together and he couldn't be happier. Though, the days events still wrapped in his mind spread a fountain of guilt over him. He is in far to deep now and can't back out. As much as he wants too, he knows he can't. More people would die if he did and he can't let anyone else get hurt. He already knows what the outcome will be and it won't be good. There is nothing he can do anymore. Sunstreaker keeps his gaze on the Marine laying next to him. Far to wound up now to fall into recharge. He tried hard to push what has happened out of his mind, but so far, he is unsuccessful. "I hope you forgive me one day." He whispers, barely audible. Not only was it for Nichole, but for Sideswipe as well. He hopes they will both be able too.

The next morning Sideswipe woke up with a start. He fumbled around his berth, searching for something. This caused him to fall off the bed and wake the other two in the room with a start. "Sides? You okay?" Sunstreaker asked with his optics still closed. Nichole was now sitting up, rubbing her eyes before she looked over at the prime red twin. "Nichole? Where is...Oh" He looked up from the floor and noticed her waving at him from Sunstreaker's berth. Trying not to show the disappointment in his tone. The laugh Nichole let ring out put a smile on both of their faces. "Sorry Sideswipe." Another apology, Sideswipe wasn't sure if he was still sleeping or not. Sunstreaker sat up while Sideswipe sat down on his berth.

"So where did you go?" Sideswipe jumped the gun, getting straight to the point. "I told you. Its none of your business." Sunstreaker barked, not even glancing at his brother. Sideswipe let out a growl, he stood, ready to retaliate. "Knock it off. We don't need to fight so damn early in the fuckin morning." Nichole shouted. Her voice ricocheting off the walls of the twins berthroom. "Fine." Grumbled Sideswipe as he got up to leave the room. He stormed out of the room, not looking back. "I'm not going to push you to tell us, but I do think we have a right to know. Though, I know I have yet to tell you everything, so I understand. Just please tell us when your ready." Nichole stated to Sunstreaker, whose gaze was still focused on where his brother was just standing. Guilt growing inside yet again. "I will." He promised. It may not be today or tomorrow, but he would tell them eventually.

Nichole stared up at him, wondering what he was thinking about. Then she watched as his optics seemed to blur, become almost distant. She looked at him with confusion, until he looked at her with a serious face. "We need to head to the hanger." With a serious tone, he picked up Nichole and they went out to the hanger. They seemed to be one of the last ones to enter the hanger, as everyone had gathered around. Nichole noticed Diesel across the way and had Sunstreaker put her down, so she could go see him. He did so reluctantly. She pushed her way through the soldiers that got in her way. Not caring one bit if they fell over or not. "Diesel!" She yelled, trying to get the Mech's attention. He snapped his helm towards her, hearing her right away. As she got closer he picked her up and put her on his shoulder.

"What's going on?" She murmured into his audio receptor. "Shit is about to go down." He said with a smirk. "What?" She said sarcastically, her voice going up an octave. Diesel covered his mouth trying not to laugh. "Nah I don't know. Optimus just called us all in here." he shrugged, Nichole almost falling off. "Asshole." She complained. The room was full of chatter, but the moment Optimus Prime and Major Lennox walked out into the bay, everything went silent. You could hear a pin drop from how silent it got. "I'm sure you are all wondering why I called you all in here." Optimus's deep baritone voice echoed throughout the bay. "Something very important has come to my attention and I'm afraid it can not be ignored." He paused for a moment, like he was nervous to say what's next. "There is a great evil that is threatening Earth and Megatron is apart of it. We need to stop it before it comes and to do that.." He took a deep breath. "a few of us will have to go back to Cybertron." There was a gasp from everyone in the room. Nichole and Diesel were apart of them.

"What kind of evil?" Sideswipe asked, his hand raised, but talked anyway. "That is a good question, Sideswipe. I do not know of it exactly. I only know it by the wisdom of the primes and it begins with Cybertron. Something I never believed that would happen. I do not want to say to much, until needed. We must stop it before it gets to Earth." Optimus answered scrunching his fist together. "I have already chosen who will be going with, for I need few but experience." Everyone held their breath waiting for who he had chosen. "Jazz...Ironhide...Ratchet...and Diesel. Those four will be accompany me to Cybertron." He stated.

Diesel tensed up at the mention of his name. He would be leaving Nichole all alone, was he ready to do that. Nichole had grabbed onto his neck cables, holding them tight enough to stop circulation. Once she heard him grunt, she released. Some of the bots looked very disappointed that they were not chosen to go to Cybertron. They all missed their home dearly. "The four I just called, please come with me, we will discuss the plan of departure." With that, Optimus turned and walked away, the first three followed. Diesel started walking with but was stopped by Lennox. "She stays here." He ordered. Nichole gave a low growl, but Lennox stood his ground. Both staring, seeing who could hold out the longest. She continued to sneer at him, he was determined not to break. Before either could find out the winner, Nichole was plucked off Diesels shoulder and set on the ground. "What gives?" She yelled up to her partner. "You know what its like to have a top-secret mission." Is all he said, and he left to meet with the others. The scowl stayed on her face tell he was out of view.

It wasn't until a week later then the five were getting ready for departure. Nichole helped to make sure they were all mechanically sound before they left. She was able to do much more after getting the stiches removed from her hand. She spent the whole week with Diesel, much to Sunstreaker's displeasure. She kept telling him, he would get her all to himself after Diesel left. So, he can go a week without her. He was not to happy to hear that. Diesel made sure to threaten Sunstreaker before he left, to watch over her and take care of her. If he didn't, he would with he never been sparked. The five bots had just finished loading up the ship and were standing by. "I do not know how long we will be gone, but we will not return until our mission is complete. While we are away, Bumblebee with be in charge, under watch of Major Lennox." He paused to wait for all the groaning to be finished. "You listen to me now, Bitches." Bumblebee voiced through the radio. Nichole did her best to stifle her laugh while leaning against Diesels ped.

"With that said, I expect the best out of all my Autobots. We may be gone, but if you need anything we are only a phone call away." As he said this, he looked straight at Nichole and she was looking up at Diesel. "Autobots...Roll out." Optimus bellowed. Diesel knelt down to say his last goodbye. "I can't believe I'm going to be without you again." Nichole sniffled, trying to keep the tears back. "Don't worry I'll be back sooner than you think." He said with a sad smile. "Please stay safe. I need my partner back in one piece." She held onto his digit he used to wipe away her tears that had begin to leak. "Don't worry. You'll have me back. You stay out of trouble, ya hear. I'll see ya when I get back." He pulled away from her slowly, backing up towards the ship. Nichole stood there watching him leave. She felt two hands snake around her waist and hold her close. Her first instinct was to elbow him in the gut but couldn't bring herself to do it. "He'll be back, don't worry. Prime won't let anything bad happen to him." Sunstreaker whispered into her ear. He held her as they watch the ship take off and continued to watch, tell the ship looked more like a star.