"I'm bored," Metalsound sighed, "There's nothing to do anymore." She had been lying on Magnus' ship for the past hour, watching the others talk, catching up with each other's lives.

Russell comes out with his football, "Who's up for a game of football?"

"What's football?" Wheeljack asked.

"Really? You've forgotten what football was?" Arcee asked him.

"What? I didn't pay that much attention to it," Wheeljack replied.

"It's a game that humans play, they throw the ball to each other while trying to make it to the opposite end of the field. It has two opposing teams. In a way it's kind of like Lob Ball," Bulkhead explained.

"Oh, I'm always up for a game of Lob Ball, sure let's play some football."

"Joy," Bulkhead heard the Predacon mutter.

"Want to join us?" He invited, "Jackie and I can be the team captains."

"Sure, I guess. That is if Russell doesn't mind."

"Not at all."

"Sweet, let's get started then." Bulkhead looked for his first pick, "I pick Steeljaw."

"Pick me for what?"

Strongarm giggled, "To be on his team,"

"For?"

"We're playing a game now get your tail over here," Bulkhead called out.

"I am not some mutt that has to listen to you," Steeljaw growled but walked over to stand beside the mech.

"My turn, I pick Arcee, naturally," Wheeljack says with a smile.

"Figures," Bulkhead chuckled, "Strongarm."

Strongarm walks over and stands beside Steeljaw.

"Um, I'll take the Dinobot."

"Name's Grimlock, nice to meet you," the larger mech replied as he walked over.

"Nice to meet you too."

"Hey, buddy!" Bulkhead called to Thunderhoof, "Care to join us?"

Thunderhoof looks over at Metalsound then walks over to join Bulkhead. Metalsound chuckled, "Why were you looking at me?" He just shrugged. Shaking her helm she heard Wheeljack call her. "Should be fun," she said as she hopped down, walking over to Wheeljack's side.

"Sideswipe."

Steeljaw held back a growl as Sideswipe slowly made his way over, "I pick the human kid. What was your name again?" Wheeljack asked.

"It's Russell," the child replied as he walked over.

Sideswipe stood behind Thunderhoof, as far away from Steeljaw as he could. "Alright, then I'll take the big human," Bulkhead said.

"The name's Denny, nice to meet you Bulkhead," the older human greeted as he joined Bulkhead's team.

Slipstream and Jetstorm run over, "Master said we could play as well."

"Um, who's who?" Bulkhead asked.

"I'm Slipstream," Slipstream says with a bow.

"And I'm Jetstorm," Jetstorm says with a bow.

"Ohh, I'll pick Slipstream," Bulkhead replied.

"That means you're with us, Jetstorm," Wheeljack says with a smile. "OK, are we missing anyone?" Wheeljack asked as he looked around.

"All we need is a referee," Russell replied.

"Perhaps Fixit would like to join us," Jetstorm replied.

"Yes, looks like I need one more," Wheeljack states after counting his team, "Come on, Fixit." Fixit rolls over to join them. "Well, let's get this started already," Wheeljack says, excited to play the game.

"Are we using the football or the Lob Ball?" Grimlock asked.

"I think the football would be better for the humans to use," Strongarm replied.

"I agree, the last time Jackie here used a Lob Ball around the humans he almost squashed one of our charges," Arcee says folding her arms.

"And here I thought you Autobots were supposed to protect the humans," Thunderhoof joked.

"Should my dad and I pair up with one of you guys," Russell asked in concern.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, with you guys running around you'll have to keep an eye on us to make sure you don't step on us," he explained.

"Oh yeah."

"Or the humans and Mini-Cons can act as a defense, while the rest of us are offense," Metalsound suggested.

"Whatever, let's just play."

By the time Ultra Magnus had made it to the scrapyard, the group was running around or tackling each other to the ground. One of the humans was carrying something as he ran, "What is going on?" He asked before transforming into his bot mode.

"Looks like they're playing football," Bumblebee replied as he transformed.

"I'm surprised they haven't harmed the humans yet," Magnus said as Thunderhoof tackled Wheeljack to the ground.

"I think they all have more sense than that."

"You're right," Magnus said as he watched them play, "Who do you think is winning?"

"Um, I think they're just doing it for fun."

Strongarm tackled Metalsound to the ground, who was about to catch the ball, knocking the wind out of the larger femme. "Now that's a tackle," she wheezed when Strongarm helped her up.

"Are you okay?" The cadet asked.

"Other than getting the wind knocked out of me I'm good."

Strongarm looked over and saw her father heading their way, "Welcome back," Strongarm greeted as he passed her.

He just kept walking. Ultra Magnus stood in front of Steeljaw, staring at him with no sign of emotion. "Bulkhead, I'm gonna take Steeljaw for a moment, we need to talk."

"Um, okay. 'Bee, would you mind filling in for Steeljaw?" Bulkhead asked. Steeljaw followed after Ultra Magnus, still nervous after their first encounter. Bumblebee walks over and joins in the game.

Magnus stops and looks at Sideswipe for a moment, "Stay away from my daughter," he warned with his voice like ice. Ultra Magnus led Steeljaw to the far side of the scrapyard, crossing his arms he waited for the mech to say his peace.

"Sir, I know I did wrong in making Strongarm my mate without her consent, or yours and I'm sorry, I wasn't thinking straight. I panicked because I thought I was never going to see her again. I love her and I will never do anything to hurt her."

"If you do anything to hurt her, I will feed you to the scraplets."

"I will never hurt her."

"I know, and Bumblebee told me what you did when Sideswipe kissed Strongarm."

"Wolf-Cons get very protective over their mates, I would hurt or kill any bot that tries to come onto her or hurt her in any way."

"I guessed as much, and thank you."

"No problem."

"What exactly made you choose Strongarm over the other femmes?"

"I really don't know what made me choose her. There's just something special about her that makes me drawn to her. And when Bumblebee said that I was never going to see her again I panicked and that's how I kidnapped her," he replied.

"Bumblebee told me."

"I apologize for my actions, sir. She was upset for a few days and had every right to be. We slowly started to trust each other more."

"I see..." Magnus looks at him for a second while thinking then speaks, "I want to put you through a test. Are you up for it?"

Steeljaw stood up straight, "Yes, sir."

"Strongarm, come over here!" Magnus called out. Strongarm walked over, wondering what was going on. Once Strongarm was there Magnus started speaking again, "Steeljaw, do you respect both me and my daughter enough to do anything I command you to?"

"Yes."

"Then stay away from Strongarm for a whole week. No touching, hugging, or kissing."

Steeljaw held back a growl. A whole week? Would he be able to last that long? "Alright."

"I see what you're doing, Ultra Magnus," Bumblebee says as he walks up to them. "When a mech is truly in love it's torture to be away from the femme but if he's not then the mech won't feel any pain. It's a test to see how true your feelings are. Why didn't I think of it?"

Steeljaw growled inwardly, "As long as Sideswipe stays away from her as well."

"Most certainly," Magnus responded.

"This means you'll have to find somewhere else to sleep at night," Bumblebee adds.

"Right. But where?" Steeljaw muttered to himself.

"You can sleep in one of the rooms on my ship," Magnus offered.

"Thank you, sir."

"That command starts right now so you two separate yourselves and go about your business," Magnus states.

"Guess that means the game's over," Wheeljack muttered.

"I think it was over when the commander called Strongarm over," Arcee chuckled, "What do you say we go for a drive?"

"Sounds good." They transform and drive out.

"Come on, kid. You're coming with me," Bulkhead dragged Sideswipe along with him as they transformed driving off.

Thunderhoof walks over to Steeljaw, "Are you gonna be alright?"

Steeljaw vented out a sigh, "I hope so. I'm gonna try my best to prove that I'm sincere about this relationship."

"Judging by how you've been acting like you can't live without her I know this is gonna be tough."

"Don't remind me," he growled, causing Metalsound to chuckle, "What are you laughing at?" He growls out.

"Your whole body's twitching already and it hasn't even been five minutes yet," she grinned.

Steeljaw grips one of the metal shelves as he looks over at Strongarm, "Just the thought of not being able to touch, hold, or kiss her tears me apart," he growls through clenched dentures.

"Just don't try sneaking in to see her. Ultra Magnus will be watching you like a hawk," Metalsound warns him.

"I won't, I aim to see to it that he sees that my feelings towards his daughter are true."

"Good, and I wish you luck."

"Want to go for a walk, Metalsound?" Thunderhoof asked the femme.

"Sure!"

When the pair is away from the scrapyard Metalsound questions Thunderhoof, "Is there a reason you wanted to go on a walk?"

"I just wanted to have some alone time with you. I can't help but think that if I were to ever be put through a test where I couldn't be near you or hug or kiss you, it would really tear me up. You're an amazing femme, Metalsound, and I'm glad you made the move to make me your mate."

Metalsound looked away as she started blushing. She's so happy that Thunderhoof shares her feelings and wants to be with her as much as she wants to be with him. She looks back over at him, "I love you, Thunderhoof."

He smiles at her, "I love you too, Metalsound."