CricketLuver
TFP Cliffjumper x Arcee
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"Starscream!"

Starscream froze, his sharp claws just inches from sinking into Cliffjumper's chassis. His gaze slowly rose to meet that of Megatron's, watching as the warlord approached him with a menacing gleam to his blood red optics. "Y-Yes, my liege..?" He answered, his voice quavering in fear as Megatron grew closer.

"I do not recall giving you permission to terminate my prisoners." Megatron snarled, shoving Starscream away from Cliffjumper and stepping around the injured Autobot.

Cliffjumper pulled away from the Vehicons that were holding him and knelt down, clutching his side and wheezing. Man, that energon explosion really hurt... He watched in slight amusement as the silver warlord threw Starscream across the room and winced when the seeker hit the wall, holding back a snicker.

Satisfied, Megatron turned on his heel to face Cliffjumper, his optics narrowed angrily. "Take him to Knockout. Have him due the bare minimum in treatment, only enough to keep this pest alive." He growled, his gaze shifting to the Vehicons who stood behind Cliffjumper.

"Yes, Lord Megatron." One of the Vehicons said, taking Cliffjumper by the arm and hauling him to his pedes. The other took hold of Cliffjumper's other arm and pulled him down the long corridor, the door closing behind them.

-The Autobot base-

"I can't contact him! His comn isn't working! All I'm getting is static!" Arcee exclaimed, pacing back and forth in front of the others frantically. "I knew I should've gone to help him!"

"Easy, Arcee. I'm sure there is a good reason behind Cliffjumper not answering his comn." Ratchet said in a weak attempt to calm the femme.

"When bots don't answer their comns, it usually means something bad happened!" Arcee retorted, shooting a glare at the medic. "I'm going after him!" She announced, about to storm towards the exit when Optimus blocked her with his arm.

"I understand your concern, Arcee, but I will not allow another Autobot to go out on their own and possibly face danger." Optimus said sternly, his voice calm despite the situation.

Arcee bit back a harsh retort and scoffed, shaking her head. "Fine. Tell me if you find his signal..." she muttered, her shoulders sagging in defeat as she stormed off to her berthroom.

-A few days later-

Ratchet walked into the main room with a datapad in one hand and a cube of energon in the other. He nearly dropped the datapad when he saw Arcee at the computer, his optics narrowing. "What are you doing?"

"I've got Cliff's signal, but it's weak." Arcee murmured, her fingers flying across the keyboard. "They've got him on the Nemesis... we have to save him!"

"Are you insane?!"

"No, I just want my partner back."

Ratchet only watched as Arcee activated the groundbridge and drove through it in her motorcycle form.

-The Nemesis-

"Do you ever shut up?" Starscream spat, backhanding Cliffjumper across the face and hissing in annoyance.

Cliffjumper chuckled, spitting a bit of energon on the floor and looking up at Starscream. "Do you ever not lose your temper?" He shot back, a mischievous grin on his face.

Starscream snarled and went to claw Cliffjumper when the revving of a motorcycle caught his attention. He turned just in time to get a faceful of Arcee's tires, flying backwards and slamming into the floor.

Arcee transformed quickly and ran over to the cell, her optics wide with worry. "Oh Cliff! I knew you were alive, I just knew it!" She was on the brink of sobbing as she went over to him, falling to her knees and hugging him tightly.

"Aw, 'Cee.... don't cry.." Cliffjumper chuckled, lifting his arms over her head since he had cuffs on and hugging her close to his chassis. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too...." Arcee sniffed, rubbing her optics and smiling. "Come on, let's get back to base." She said, getting the cuffs off of his wrists and helping him stand up.

Cliffjumper leaned against her for support and grinned slightly, walking with her towards the groundbridge and disappearing within its depths.