Knockout slowly made his way to the patients room as he stared at his clipboard and gripped it tightly. He was angry with himself for hurting Piper like that. He stopped as he stayed around the corner and listened to her walk off, knowing she'd probably cry. Of course she would, he broke her heart when she needed him most. He closed his eyes and gripped the clipboard more as he tried not to get angrier. He hated this whole situation.

After the attack on city hall, and after he found out about Ratchet being Piper's dad, he had spent long hours taking care of the patients with the doctor. It had been awkward to say the least and he was grateful when he was able to go home at two in the morning. He sighed as he remembered going home to a dark apartment and trying to turn the lights on.

That's when his nightmare started.

~

The hair on the back of his neck stood on end as an eerie feeling settled over him. Someone was in his home. He looked at his phone to call the police, but it was dead from his long night. He gripped his phone in his hand and grabbed a baseball bat.

He paused and stared at it for a moment then looked at the name on the handle. Breakdown.

He had used it to play the actually game when they were younger and set it there one day claiming he'd play again after their next job. But that was the same day he died. Knockout hadn't touched the bat since, until this moment.

He blinked back tears and gripped it as he focused on locating the intruder. He went to the living room and saw a woman sitting in Breakdowns favorite chair as she watched him. A wicked smile slowly climbed up her face.

"Airachnid." he spat and gripped the bat as he quickly walked forward. He swung at her head and she yelped as she ducked then moved out of the chair.

"Ooh a feisty doctor, I like that." She purred as she dodged another blow to the head. She smirked as she moved around him and quickly locked his arms with her own so he couldn't move.

"Let me go witch!" He shouted angrily and she quickly injected something into his neck. He cried out in surprise and she shoved him to the floor. His world spun slowly and he got up then stumbled a little.

"Fast acting little drug I made." She smirked as he tried to swing at her again. "Tsk tsk tsk, you shouldn't struggle, it makes things worse." She pouted. Knockout felt dizzy and everything swayed as he tried to focus. He dropped to his knees as the bat fell from his grasp. He gripped the floor and panted heavily as he felt sick to his stomach.

"W... what... is... this poison?" He rasped as he gripped his stomach and gagged. He felt as though his body was suddenly on fire. He screamed in agony and curled up on the floor as he cried out.

"Shh shh shh... not so loud love." She purred as she covered his mouth. His cries of pain were muffled and tears of agony fell down his face. "Hurts doesn't it?" She said with mock pity in her voice. "This is just a little bit, Knocks. Imagine what the whole vial would do." She sneered and he screamed through her hand as he writhed in pain. She huffed and injected him with something else. After a few agonizing moments, the pain stopped and he just lay on the floor as he panted heavily.

"Well that was fun." She said in a sadistic tone as she grabbed him by the shirt and made him sit up. "Now for my bargain." She sneered as he glared darkly. "I need some medical attention after my run in with Soundwave." She pouted and gripped his hair harshly. "I also need a list of other things so I can finish my work." She purred into his ear then nipped it.

"W... why would I help you?" He rasped and shoved her away as he glared darkly. "You murdered my brother in cold blood and I'm going to kill you, if the cops don't come get you first." He seethed angrily through gritted teeth. She laughed cruelly and smiled.

"Who knew you were so funny?" She said sweetly then her expression became dark as she lunged at him. She yanked his head back and set a knife to his neck.

"Do what you want witch." He spat as he narrowed his eyes. "I'd rather die then help you." He growled. She stared at him then laughed maniacally.

"I know that love. So here's the deal. Do what I want or sweet little Piper and Ratchet will drink my new poison. Then I'll make you watch as they slowly die." She smirked and his eyes widened in surprise and fear. "Then you'll have three deaths that haunt you instead of one." She whispered in his ear. "They'll die because of you, just like your dear brother." She sneered. He squeezed his eyes shut and choked back a sob. She was right. His brother was dead because of him. He couldn't lose the woman he loved nor his friend.

"Just do what I want and everyone will be happy." She purred. He shuddered then nodded slowly as a tear fell down his face. "Good. Also I'm your girlfriend now. Isn't that what you've always wanted?" She giggled with wicked glee and kissed his cheek. He didn't respond and silently wished she had just killed him.

It would've been better.

Airachnid had used him to get what she wanted and abused him if he tried to get away, call the police or anything else she didn't like. He had tried to contact someone for help, but she caught him and tortured him with her poison. He had almost died a few times and she had almost injected Piper. He shuddered at the memories and slowly opened his tired eyes. Was it almost over? Would he be free and could he go back to Piper?

He looked around groggily at the other doctors as they walked by. Some had spread rumors that he was on drugs now. Ratchet had brought him in to confront him but he passed each test. He wasn't on anything other than fear for their safety. If anything he was slowly dying from the constant exposure to the poison. He felt his days were numbered and he was trying to do everything he possibly could to keep everyone alive.

When he said he was caring for Steve, Airachnid immediately threatened the hurt man's life. Knockout sighed forcefully as his hands shook. No one could see his pain and struggles. How long had it been? A few months? A year? He didn't know but now his nerves were damaged.  He had managed to hide that from everyone, but it was getting worse.

He shook his head and slowly made his way to find Steve again. He got to the room and furrowed his brow as he saw another man sitting by him. He gripped his clipboard as he feared it was someone working with Airachnid.

"Can I help you?" He asked as he narrowed his eyes a little. The newcomer looked at him then quickly looked away.

"I was just visiting a friend." The man said in a gruff voice as he stood. "I'll come back later." He mumbled and noticed the doctors ill state. He paused and gave him a sad look before he left. Knockout glared at his back then walked over to his friend and crouched by him.

"Did he hurt you? Poke you with anything?" He asked as he looked for any marks or sign that he had been injured in anyway. Steve looked at him and furrowed his brow.

"N-n-no... he... w-was nice... s-s-said he... w-would help..." he struggled to say and Knockout furrowed his brow. He looked at him then shook his head.

"No one can help us Steve..." he whispered and checked on Andi before he sighed forcefully and gripped the railing on her bed. "I... uh..." he grunted a little as he felt the pain in his stomach again. "How about some TV you two?" he asked as he smiled weakly and just turned it on.

"A-are you... s-still in... p-p-pain?" Steve asked with concern as he watched the man walk over and hand him the remote. Knockout hesitated and looked at his shaking hand then forced a smile and clenched his fists.

"Nah of course not. Probably just hungry. I don't seem to eat enough despite-" He stopped suddenly as he stared at the TV.

He had turned around while talking and caught what was on the news. The world fell silent as he stared at the screen and read the words. A picture of Airachnid was shown with the words 'first victim of mysterious attacks' underneath. It showed the other victims and the crime scene was briefly on the screen.

"Ah ha!" the doctor choked as he half laughed and half sobbed making the other man jump a little in surprise. The noise his friend made had sounded like relief. But why? Knockout looked at him as he smiled and tears fell down his face. "Stay here Steve... I'll be back." he rasped then ran out of the room as fast as he could.

"Piper!" he called as he ran down the halls and skidded around corners. Tears falling down his face as he felt free for the first time in a year. It had been a whole year since Airachnid forced her way into his life and made a mess.

A whole year of struggling to be free and fighting to stay alive. He saw Piper in the waiting room crying quietly and he rushed over and sat by her side. How long had she been crying? Why did it seem like he couldn't keep track of time?

"Knockout? Wha-" her eyes widened as he gripped her face and kissed her passionately, making her blush and look at him with confusion. He just said he didn't like her. What was he doing? He kissed her neck and let his tears fall as she gripped his shoulders.

"K-Knockout? What are you doing? You hated me a few minutes ago." she said as she blushed deeply and pushed him back a little.

"Piper I'm so sorry for ignoring you and being distant this past year. I had no choice. Airachnid was going to kill you and Ratchet. I had to protect you from her and do what she wanted. Please you have to believe that I would never actually hurt you." He said quickly. She blinked in surprise as she listened and looked at his state. He was shaking and he looked sincere as he spoke.

"Knockout... why didn't you say anything? Do something so we knew you were in trouble?" She asked as tears filled her eyes. He'd been suffering for a year and she felt horrible that she didn't know.

"I told you... I couldn't... anytime I did she left to kill one of you. I couldn't let that happen... and... I..." he gasped in pain and gripped his heart as he winced. "Piper... I've been... poisoned for... a year... I've been given the antidote right after each time..." he rasped and squeezed his eyes shut for a moment as he tried to focus. "But... it's... dang... I shouldn't have... run..." he mumbled.

"Piper... I love you..." he rasped as tears fell down his face and he gripped her face then he kissed her again.

"I love you too." She said as she held on to him, slightly confused about his ramblings. He choked back a sob and gripped his heart again before his eyes rolled to the back of his head and he fell to the floor.

"Knockout!" She screamed and knelt by his side as she held him close and sobbed. "Somebody please help me!" She yelled as the nurses ran over to help. Piper covered her mouth as she choked back a sob and watched them work. Why did this happen to him?

~

Tesarus watched the entire scene then slipped out of the hospital and walked down the street towards the others. He had to walk almost a mile before he found their parking spot again. He got in the van and rubbed his head a little.

"Knockout has been admitted into the hospital. Apparently Airachnid has been slowly poisoning him for a year now." He reported and Tarn nodded slowly.

"We'll finish him off. What of the other target?" he asked as he glanced at him from the side mirror. Helex scanned the area as he drove somewhere else.

"Still there and oblivious to the situation." he chuckled darkly and Vos snickered with glee again as he prepared a syringe. Kaon listened and he stared blankly, remembering how Airachnid had blinded him.

"Then we need to move in while the hospital is in this state of chaos." Tarn said and glanced at the others. "Disguises on. Helex and Kaon will remain in the get away van while the rest of us go in. We'll take both men out as quickly as possible then move to the next target." He said and they nodded quickly then got ready.

The three men slipped inside and Vos flirted with the woman at the desk, giving the other two a chance to slip passed her. Tarn walked with Tesarus down the hall as he glanced at a clipboard he snagged. He memorized the room number and set it on a passing cart. The two men glanced at each other as they made their way to their target. Tarn paused as he passed a hall and stared at the old man and his family by a room.

"Well this is just getting easier." he smirked and Tes glanced at what he was staring at. Optimus stood outside a room with his family as he spoke with them about what he thought he saw, and who he met. Peregrine was holding his hand as she munched on some chocolate her grandfather brought. They saw the teen girl who belonged to Bulkhead talking with a small boy who looked at his grandfather with concern. The two villains smiled with wicked glee and continued on their way.

"We'll be able to finish in no time." Tesarus smirked as they continued down the hallway towards Andi's room, knowing Steve would be there. Tarn didn't respond as they continued down the hall, only to stop again as he stared down another.

"What are the odds?" he growled a little and his teammate followed his gaze again to see Beta talking to a doctor. "My, she's feisty all of a sudden." He said slightly annoyed with the woman. "After we finish those on the list, we grab Miko and that monster." he said as he motioned to Beta. Tes nodded before they quickly moved on.

Once at the room Tarn took the syringe and had Tesarus stand guard, knowing they had to be quick today if they wanted to get all their victims without causing too much of a stir. The leader slowly entered the room and stared at the disabled man's back. Steve was hold his sisters hand and quietly telling her about his day.

"...T-t-then I-I-I-I-I to-old.... B-B-Bulkhead.... that yo-ou... would w-wake up so-o-on." He said as his free hand shook and fiddled with his jacket. "H-hey... I-I'm do-oing bet-t-t-ter... a-at t-t-talking... a-and... w-w-walking." he grinned at her then made an odd laughing sound. He was happy that he could be normal before she woke up. He looked to the window and his smile faded as he saw a reflection of a man behind him entering the room.

"Yo-o-ou se-e-e-e that?" he rasped then saw the man's arm come up a little as he got closer to him. Steve gasped and looked up at him as his eyes widened in horror. "D-don't hu-urt her!" he managed to shout despite his fear.

Tarn chuckled darkly as he walked closer to him and was finally in range to stab him with the syringe. An arm grabbed his and he felt himself being flung over a shoulder then he hit the ground. The arm with the syringe was twisted and he cried out as he let go. He glared up at the young man but didn't move as the cop aimed a gun at his head.

"Don't move, Tarn." Bumblebee seethed as Strongarm ran in and quickly pointed her gun at him as she glared.

"On your stomach." she growled and the man chucked with amusement as he did as told, she cuffed the villain then yanked him up and shoved him to the door.

"Well played little Bee." he said calmly as if this wasn't a big deal. Which in reality it wasn't, he could easily get out of this with the help of his team. He glanced at Tesarus who was also being led away and they exchanged a look. Bumblebee hated how smug they were being and growled as he led them down the hallway with the rest of the cops.

"Where's Grimlock?" The young man asked as he walked behind him and clenched his fists tightly. "We know you took him." he said seriously.

"Patience Bug. I'm sure you'll find him in the river soon enough." Tarn said calmly and the cop shoved him against the wall as he gripped his shirt. The other cops help Tes back and told their comrade to stand down.

Tarn kept a calm expression as the cop glared darkly then walked off, the leader of the DJD watched him go then narrowed his eyes. They continued on and glanced at the halls as they passed but didn't see anyone that they saw earlier. Tesarus cursed quietly but his leader seemed extremely calm, and that unnerved the cops. Tarn saw Vos in a straight jacket and a cover over his mouth as he sat on the ground. The man had blood stains on his straight jacket and the leader figured he bit someone. He chuckled darkly and shook his head a little.

"He's a wild one." He said calmly as if this was a regular day occurrence for them. He saw a woman standing in the far corner talking to a cop. He narrowed his eyes as he recognized her immediately. "Couldn't stay out of it, could you? Had to get in everyone's business." He growled and Beta looked at him then paled.

The officer standing in front of her looked at him and narrowed his eyes as he turned around. Tarn glared back and stopped walking but the other cops made him move forward, though he resisted, not done yet.

"You'll regret this, monster." he said as calmly as he possible, though inside he was furious and plotting a way to get rid of her for good. "I know it was you who called the cops." he seethed as the officer who had been talking to her stood in front of her. Beta started to shake with fear as she watched him.

"Get him out of here." Ironhide growled lowly as he stayed in front of the terrified woman. They finally got the man to move and had the other two follow. "Are you alright?" He asked as he looked at the woman. She just nodded quickly and hugged herself more as she looked at the floor. She knew she'd be answering more questions soon and the cop led her elsewhere. She just wanted Megatron to hold her, but knew he couldn't be around right now.

Vos struggled against his straight jacket as he chuckled darkly under the mask. The three men were overly confident as they went outside to the police truck. Though their smug looks faded quickly when they saw Helex and Kaon also cuffed and sitting on the sidewalk. Sideswipe was leaning on the hood of their car as he smirked cockily, arms folded. Fixit was in the drivers seat going through the system with his computer as his wheelchair sat by the open door.

"Aw, did we foil your plans?" The redheaded punk smirked as he watched them. Vos growled lowly and thrashed as he tried to get to them. Pet was in an animal control car with a muzzle and shock collar.

The wolf whimpered fearfully as he watched the men and looked at his master, the said man was completely lost without him. He just sat there and stared blankly as he tried to gain his bearings. The man panted quietly as every sound and smell overwhelmed him, but he masked his fear behind his blank expression then tensed as the cops yanked him up.

"This isn't over Bug." Tarn said seriously as he glanced at his men. The cops were putting them in one by one and locking their cuffs to the wall. Kaon stumbled around as he was led to the car and struggled to get inside.

"Yes it is. You're going to be locked away for a long time, and you won't be hurting anyone else." Bumblebee said as he narrowed his eyes.

"Careful little Bee, this could come back to haunt you in the near future." He said evenly before he got in the truck. Not resisting like his team had and letting them lock him to the wall. Bumblebee glared darkly and clenched his fists tightly as he watched them go, he could interrogate him later with Rodimus.

The team was silent as they made their way to the police station, knowing things wouldn't go well when they got there. Kaon closed his eyes and leaned against the wall as he tried to calm himself and not worry about Pet, Vos struggled again and said something in irritation as he yelled, while the other two stared blankly. They realized they were stuck.

"Patience." Tarn said and they all looked at their leader. He was just staring as he thought about something that would help them. "They already know we've been caught. If Barricade doesn't send help, we'll get out ourselves. It won't take long for us to be free. And when we are, I have some people we need to visit." He growled lowly as he narrowed his eyes.

Their car sent a silent alarm to Shockwave to inform him of their situation and let him know that the system was compromised. The scientist then worked on sending a response that would end the intruder, simply by shocking them and stopping their heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Special thanks to Tenshineko01 for this idea. ;) Thank you!!