This one's a tad longer than the others, mainly for the fact I wanted to fit a lot in. For those of you wondering where this is going to go, there will be action soon. This chapter is aimed a lot at the relationship between Starscream and Arcee and conditions on the planet. Things are going to heat up (hopefully on all fronts) very soon. Anyway, enjoy. :)

Arcee was tense as she walked up to the entrance of the Cybertron Military Headquarters. She had been dreading returning here since yesterday after her conversation with Ultra Magnus. This morning she had received a message from an unknown sender. 'Come to the Office of General Ultra Magnus, the mech known as Starscream must also be in attendance.' The message had been told in the voice of a bot Arcee did not know but she would comply, with Starscream following behind her. As they had walked to the building the pair had gained odd looks, Starscream more so than Arcee, but Starcream had acted as if nothing was amiss during the entire time. It had been awkward that morning, the two had not ended yesterday on a good note and the two of them had barely spoken a word. Arcee would have been fine with this if it didn't result in such awkward silences that stretched on for hours.

The Cybertron Military Headquarters had been built upon a slight rise from the ground level of most other buildings, requiring those who wished to enter to walk. This had never been much problem for Arcee before but today the steps seemed endless, as if someone had added a good million steps just to spite her. She sighed before taking the lead, the tall figure of Starscream falling in behind her.

The Military Headquarters was one of the most technologically advanced buildings on Cybertron. Since it was not only the building, which held the most criminals on the planet as well as all military information, it made sense that it was so advanced. It also held within its depths the offline but very threatening, Nemesis, the old Decepticon warship. That had been a highly disputed decision with Ultra Magnus declaring it remain intact whilst the rest of the team wanted it dismantled. However, Knock Out had stated that the information on the warship and the medical facilities it supplied were both unique and very advanced and thus reasoned it should remain, hidden. Arcee had put up quite a huff about it but in the end the group had agreed the Nemesis had too much value to be dismantled.

The Headquarters itself was made of a special metal, one that resembled glass on Earth but was far sturdier. The sunlight glimmered beautifully of its sides, like some kind of crystal. She usually found it all very beautiful but today she couldn't stand the sight of it.

She opened the doors to reveal the reception area. Arcee had brought Starscream out round the back of the building last time, he had never seen this. The receptionist did not even stop them as they passed and Arcee guided Starscream into a turbo lift before punching in floor fifty, the floor for Ultra Magnus's Office. As the floors slowly whizzed past Arcee could sense the awkwardness between the two of them.

"Care to tell me why we're here again?" Arcee didn't even look to him.

"Your stunt the other night has drawn too much attention. It needs discussing."

"You mean our stunt." Sneered the lithe mech behind her and she clenched a fist.

"Yes, Starscream, our stunt."

"I can hardly understand why we need be punished for enjoying ourselves."

"Speak for yourself Starscream." Starscream was silent after that as they came to the designated floor and stepped into a long corridor, heavily guarded, leading towards an imperial silver door.

She walked to the door, all the guards seeing her and nodding once, some with murmurs of 'commander'. Arcee ignored them all, aware of Starscream behind her and pushed on into Ultra Magnus' office.

The room was crowded. Magnus himself sat behind his desk, looking straight at her as she entered. Behind his desk stood the whole of the team, exluding Ratchet, with Smokescreen and Bumblebee seemingly caught off guard as she entered. Bulkhead and Wheeljack didn't even seem to realise her entrance and instead were still talking about something. Knockout stood alone, leaning on a wall and not looking at Arcee but over her shoulder.

The moment she was through the door she sensed that the optics in the room weren't sure whether to look at her or the former con who had just entered the room, wing tips scraping with a screech against the door frame. Arcee for some reason sensed this was intentional.

It was then Arcee's optics fell on the final mech in the room, the one she certainly hadn't expected, the Social Minister, Blacklight.

Since Cybertron had been returned to a fraction of its former glory all of Team Prime had concluded there had to be a government set up in order to watch over and protect the people. Ultra Magnus was the only one with any government knowledge at all but refused to be an active part of it, claiming he had seen enough before the war. He set up elections across the planet to vote for Government Members to govern and in which positions. All of Team Prime was taken off the list as well as all Decepticons, this was a brand new world with a brand new government.

There was a total of six major roles within the government inner circle, the Law Binder, the Diplomacy Overseer, the Social Minister, the Military Operations Minister, the Chancellor and the High Minister. The High Minister, although often seen as the head of the government, actually shared rule with the other five main roles. They convened once every week, unless in cases of emergency, to discuss new policies, issues and future ideas for Cybertron. Ultra Magnus had refused to be the Military Operations Minister and so another had been put in charge, Military Operations Minister Blockade, who met with Magnus frequently.

Blacklight was the Social Minister, his job was to oversee the wellbeing of the city itself and report of cultural and social ideas within the main cities on the planet. Arcee did not like him one bit but could hardly tell him to leave, Magnus had obviously allowed his presence.

"Thank you for coming, Commander," spoke Magnus although Arcee knew she'd had no choice in the matter, "please, sit."

"Oh look, the whole gang's here, just like the good old days," cooed Starscream as he stepped past Arcee looking over the remains of Team Prime.

"Sit down, Starscream." Magnus snapped bluntly and Starscream smirked before lying back in a chair before patting the remaining one, which Arcee sat in. She saw most of Team Prime tense when she dared sit so close to the former Decepticon, even Knock Out's optics seemed to warn her of Starscream.

"You understand why you're here, don't you?"

"Yes sir," she replied unblinkingly to Magnus.

"Then I'll hand you over to Minister Blacklight." At his name Blacklight stood before walking behind Magnus's desk and looking between Arcee and Starscream.

Blacklight held the same build as many of the other new mechs, large and bulky, with blue and white colouring. Standing near Starscream, Arcee couldn't help but compare the colours and bodies they bore and had to admit she found Starscream to be far more appealing than the hulking Society Minister.

"Commander Arcee, you have been an exemplary member of this society for as long as anyone can remember. We've never had any trouble from you and, from what I've been told from multiple sources, you're a levelheaded member of this organisation. A hard working individual who has kept our city safe and secure for so long." Arcee watched as the mech strolled about the office as if he owned the place. She glanced to the desk where Ultra Magnus watched with a level expression. Most optics seemed to rest on her but Knock Out's were looking to her left, to Starscream. Arcee quickly glanced at the slim mech to see he was matching Knock Out's stare with one of his own, his red optics burning dangerously.

"In fact, for most on Cybertron, you've become something of an icon and a role model, just like every single bot in this room today… with exception to your friend." Starscream muttered something but Arcee blocked it out. "Each and every one of you are highly respected bots within this society, that's a fact, and although I don't want to limit what an individual can do in this society, there are limits. Whatever happened a couple of nights ago cannot happen again," Blacklight spoke sternly, "you're known on this planet for your resolve and determination, not your drinking habits, this cannot happen again commander."

"It won't minister," replied Arcee coolly whilst Blacklight nodded curtly and turned his optics onto Starscream.

"As for you, Starscream, I'm surprised you've kept off my radar for so long. A mech with such a… unique build and colouring should have already caught my eye. However, we're both here now and I expect nothing less from you. If the two of you are pursuing some kind of romance or relationship the public need not see it. You have your own privacy for that." Arcee felt like pointing out the two of them were certainly not in a relationship of any kind whatsoever but decided she could live with that over more rants from Blacklight.

Starscream didn't answer the hulking mech beside him, instead gave him a quick glance, a sneer, and then returned his optics to Knock Out. Arcee watched as Blacklight narrowed his optics before turning back to Arcee.

"Do what is required of you and we won't have any trouble. Until next time commander." Blacklight turned to Ultra Magnus without breaking form, "there is a meeting tomorrow at the usual time. The High Minister has requested your attendance."

"I will see if I can make time," spoke Ultra Magnus with a nod and Blacklight returned it.

"Until then general, good day." Blacklight then curtly turned and, with one final look at Starscream, left the office. There was silence for a solid minute after the minister left and it wasn't until they heard the whirring of the turbo lift that Ultra Magnus leaned forwards.

"Explain yourself." Arcee forced herself not to even glance at Starscream as she kept her optics fixed on Magnus.

"I made an error in judgement."

"No kidding," spoke Smokescreen, leaning against the wall, "you got the entire of the city hyped up in barely a day."

"That wasn't my intent-"

"What was your intent, Arcee?" asked Magnus with a small frown and she clenched her fists.

"I just wanted to get Starscream settled into-"

"He shouldn't be here," spoke Smokescreen as he looked past Arcee to the mech on her right, "he should be in one of the cells."

"I've already been there, thank you very much," snapped the irritated voice of Starscream and her optics were forced to turn to him to see the scowl he wore, "How about you go and lie in one of those cells and then tell me how much you like it, autobot." Ultra Magnus didn't seem pleased at this comment, glowering with a warning look.

"There are no sides now Starscream, there never were any Autobots, nor Decepticons." Starscream widened his optics as he looked from member to member of Team Prime.

"No… you fought in a war with Autobots and Decepticons."

"We did," spoke Knock Out carefully, with a gesture of his hand, "past tense. The people of this world have no idea it ever happened. We can't refer to the Decepticons or Autobots here, lest anyone go around questioning." Starscream now wore his most violent look yet and Arcee watched Knock Out shift slightly. It seemed Knock Out had received this look before and did not like it.

"This is ludicrous," spoke Starscream, turning to the others, "you've told the lie so many times that you actually believe it. How very typical of Autobots."

"Use that word again Starscream and you'll be returning to a cell," spoke Ultra Magnus, honesty ringing through his stern tone. Starscream glowered but didn't speak, instead leaned back whilst optics whirled back to her.

"What?" she snapped, not comfortable with their gaze.

"I asked you to keep a low profile with Starscream," Magnus spoke, his optics serious, "I expected you to do that much. You were fortunate I had already forged official documents before the council looked into him. If I had not then we would have a worldwide crisis on our hands."

"I apologise, sir."

"I still don't get why we've let him out," pointed out Bulkhead from his corner of the room, looking to Wheeljack for the answers. Wheeljack merely shrugged.

"Don't look at me, if it was my decision we'd scrap him for all the stuff he's put us through."

"The feeling is mutual, I assure you," snapped Starscream, causing a growl from Wheeljack.

"Optimus wouldn't scrap him," spoke Bee, looking at Arcee, not Starscream, "but I don't think he'd let him out."

"Whatever Prime would or wouldn't have done, unfortunately is irrelevant," spoke Knock Out, keeping his eyes off Starscream, "but no matter how we spin it Starscream is a Cybertronian, just like us, we gave everyone else a chance, why shouldn't we let him have the chance too?"

"Because it's Screamer," snapped Smokescreen with a plain glare at the bot in question who glared right back, "he killed thousands just to big himself up, he probably killed another thousand just to get into Megatron's good graces. He's a coward, a liar and a cheat."

"Yet here I am," spoke Starscream venomously, "after all others falter I am all that remains of the Decepticons. I, a coward, a liar, a cheat? I wouldn't deny any of them but most of all I'm a survivor, and now I'm your biggest threat." Arcee couldn't help but feel this was not helping matters.

"Despite all of your views, Knock Out is right," spoke Magnus, instantly silencing all others, "Starscream may be deceitful and conniving and he probably killed millions during the war, but the entire point of this society is leaving the past behind us, moving forwards into a new age where this mindless aggression may cease. We can never truly put this behind us whilst Starscream is in a cell, and should we decide to destroy him we will disgrace the cause we stood for. Therefore, our only option is to reintegrate him into society." Arcee knew that now Magnus had stated his verdict the others would comply, Magnus had become their steadfast leader and his judgement was word.

"I was just wondering," murmered Bulkhead rather loudly, making Arcee smile as Magnus' eyes returned to Arcee.

"I can't risk this again." Magnus said, his optics shifting to Starscream, "the entire planet won't risk this."

"What are you talking about?" asked Arcee, her optics looking to her solemn looking teammates behind her general.

"I'm moving," Bumblebee said making her optics widen as he said it, "to Cortex City." Cortex City was on the other side of the planet, extremely far away, she didn't understand… unless…

"Starscream will be going with Bumblebee to Cortex City." Magnus put in and Arcee turned back to him.

"You're moving Bee… just to get Starscream out of Genesis City?"

"No, despite your promises you've proven yourself incapable of handling Starscream, there's every possibility this may never happen again, but it might. We cannot afford for these mistakes, not now."

"So you're moving Bee!"

"Bee's the one who suggested it," Smokescreen put in solemnly, "no one else wanted him to."

"None of us like this Arcee," spoke Bulkhead, ever compassionate, "but we need to keep Cybertron safe." Starscream snorted from the side and her eyes turned to Starscream, all her hate of him rearing up its head and demanding justice. She turned her eyes to Ultra Magnus.

"You said we can't kill him." Starscream turned his optics to her angrily but she maintained contact with Ultra Magnus alone.

"We cannot, without going against every tenant we have strived to put in place."

"Before all of this we fought and killed cons, Starscream obviously hasn't severed ties with that cause, he's a threat to society." Arcee reasoned but Magnus shook his head.

"Nevertheless, we cannot kill him without condemning ourselves."

"Then let me do it alone." All optics turned to her now and Magnus' widened.

"Arcee-"

"Do I need to remind you, sir, that this piece of scrap killed Cliffjumper, he orchestrated the death of thousands of allies, stood and watched at Megatron's side as he destroyed our planet from the inside out? If Starscream refuses to severe his ties to the Decepticons and he refuses to apologise for all he's done, then I, by myself, will happily offline him." There was silence for a moment as no one dared speak.

"Starscream," this was Knock Out, "apologise for everything so we can have this over with and move on."

"No." Now all optics moved to Starscream, some widening even further.

"Starscream, this is no moment to be prideful."

"I'm telling the truth, I don't regret anything I did. Not for a moment." Knock Out looked flabbergasted but Arcee returned her gaze to Ultra Magnus.

"Sir?" he looked to her and, with what seemed to be a tremendous amount of effort, nodded. Arcee nodded in returned and drew out her laser, pointing it to Starscream's helm beside her. Everyone was silent. She hadn't managed this last night but now she had a reason. If she didn't Bee would move with him to Cortex City, too far away for her to see him for a very long time. Starscream wasn't worth her friend.

Starscream simply eyed her, and she knew that inside he wasn't scared one bit, he was convinced she wouldn't fire, he thought he knew her. She was determined to fire but found that she couldn't. She kept trying to force herself to but every time she would cease, desist. She wondered if Primus himself was interfering in that moment, protecting possibly the most unworthy waste of life in the entire universe. She forced herself to remember Cliff, Tailgate, Optimus, all the people she had lost, her life, her planet, everything that had ever hurt and tried to channel it into this single moment, this single person who deserved death, who dared pretend he knew she wouldn't shoot. She almost did it, so almost, but yet somehow she still couldn't, she had a tear falling from her eye as she remembered all she had lost, all the many things she had lost, and yet he sat there still, his red optics knowing from the start somehow that she wouldn't do it. She lowered her arm, withdrawing her weapon and almost throttled him as a trademark smirk flitted over his face. Slowly he turned to look to Ultra Magnus, his optics calm and defiant.

"I am afraid I won't be leaving little Arcee here." Magnus frowned, setting his hard face into an even harder one.

"It is already decided."

"It will be undecided now. Move me from Arcee's side and I'm afraid I won't be able to predict what may slip out of my processors." Magnus stiffened and Smokescreen clenched a fist.

"You swore you wouldn't talk."

"And I won't," sauntered Starscream flashing Arcee a nasty smirk, "as long as I remain where I am."

"So what?" snarled Smokesreen stepping forwards, "so you can hurt her? Torment her further? She's already in tears now." Arcee glared at Smokescreen, she was hardly in tears, there was one tear.

"Perhaps," Starscream said leaning back, "amongst other things." Smokescreen seemed only angrier but Ultra Magnus shot him a look that simply said 'stop' and Smokescreen stepped back.

"I do not take kindly to threats, Starscream."

"It's a warning, General." Starscream spoke, a small smirk appearing as he leaned back in his chair and tapped his sharp fingers together.

"It's a compromise. Of course, you could lock me away, but one day I will be found and I swear to tell them everything as I see fit. On the other hand you could kill me, but seeing how it goes against some moral code I suppose that option's closed too. So, you either leave me be with your lovely little femme or you send me with the dysfunctional mess beside you and I tell them everything you fear." Bumblebee seemed offended but did not move as Starscream laughed with the smirk they all hated. "I could bring everything you worked to create down to ash with nothing more than a couple of words. Even when you've won I could bring this whole planet to its knees. Is this the future you wanted General? Is this what Optimus Prime wanted?" They were all silent until Knock Out sighed and rubbed his head.

"You always have to make it difficult, don't you Starscream?" Knockout murmured from behind Ultra Magnus.

"I need your compliance then Starscream," Magnus tried, eyeing the former con, "I don't trust you, not by a long shot, but your word that you'll stay in line is better than you're word that you won't, so I need your word. Will you stay in line from now onwards?" there was that silence again, hanging over them until Starscream leaned forwards.

"I'm not one of your little drones."

"You're word, Starscream."

"You can't just control me."

"Your. Word. Starscream." There was silence for only a few seconds whilst Starscream narrowed his optics.

"I give my word."

"Good," sighed Magnus and everyone relaxed, "then you'll remain with Arcee. Arcee, I don't want to hear a peep out of him for a very, very long time, understood?" Arcee nodded and Magnus gestured to the door. "Then leave."

…

Two weeks, somehow it seemed a lot longer than that to Starscream, two weeks since the little chat with Team Prime and he had been made to swear his word. As if the word of Starscream meant anything, he knew what they all saw him as, a liar, a traitor, a murderer, a deceiver… Starscream was all of these things and more, but he hadn't been any of them for a very, very, long time.

Ever since the Predacons had made him their own personal chew toy he had been kept in the shadows as the universe moved on. Starscream, the great second in command to Lord Megatron had been brought down to nothing more than a play thing for Predacon scum, it was disgusting. It was even more disgusting that, somehow, Starscream had thought that Cybertron would be how he remembered it. There had been corruption in the old Cybertron, that was true, but he had loved it. He had been glorious in that world, now he was nothing more than an odd mech known only for making a big figure lower her shield. He was nothing here and he hated it.

He couldn't talk, he couldn't remember, he couldn't fly there was only more and more restrictions being laid down upon him and he hated it, he hated every fragging second of it, having to pretend that the war never happened, as if that was even possible. The only remotely bearable thing about this planet was his roommate, Arcee, to think he was brought down to this, the only moment of slight relief being simply a conversation with her. Most of them were still hateful and resulted in arguments or intense glares but it was still something other than this hateful fake of a planet.

Arcee had mentioned in one of their spats that he should get a job, something to just keep him going, she said if he wanted to live on this world he might as well start getting used to it, so he had got a job, in a broadcast tower. His job was to ensure all the wires were plugged in correctly and that they operated perfectly, it wasn't a very exciting job but the equipment was on nearly constantly and was almost always prone to malfunctions or breaking, it kept Starscream mildly interested and on his toes. Although every time he started work he couldn't help but remember how once he had commanded entire armada's. He gained odd looks from fellow employees but they had slowly died down as Starscream had kept a low profile, he didn't especially want attention right now, he'd rather everyone stayed the frag away.

Starscream almost always arrived home first, Arcee had given him a card, so he could enter and exit the flat whenever he needed although Arcee stressed that he was not allowed to cause trouble.

He had only just returned from work when there was a knock at the door. Interested he went to answer and was intrigued to find Bumblebee standing there. Starscream recalled Bumblebee being smaller than him, it therefore vexed Starscream how he now stood a head higher than him. Starscream wondered if maybe the Autobot had felt too small surrounded by giants and had bulked himself up. He hadn't really noticed when they were having their little chat two weeks before.

"Is Arcee in?" asked Bumblebee casually as he peeked inside.

"No, I would of thought working in the same building may give you a better knowledge on that." Starscream spoke with a sneer and Bumblebee nodded.

"Good," he barged in and all Starscream could do was shut the door behind him and glare as Bumblebee turned back to him, "it's you I wanted to talk to anyway."

"I'm listening, Auto-" he cut himself off, he wasn't meant to say that anymore. It was just difficult when he saw the Autobot insignia glisten on Bumblebee's chest. That fragged him off too, the Autobot insignia was a mark of honour, they had done away with the Decepticon one completely.

"I wanted to make sure you weren't… mistreating her, I know she can take care of herself, but you're not exactly the kindest of mechs and your directly responsible for a lot of pain for all of us." Starscream smirked slightly as the Autobot said this.

"You're right, how could I think I could fool anyone? I've been beating her brutally every time she comes home, awful isn't it? Even when I'm without weapons and she's fully armed I've been kicking her about, smacking her around the face and, Primus forbid, even calling her bad names!"

"That's enough of the frag, Starscream, you've made your point." Starscream smirked as he saw how much he had wound up the yellow Autobot. He had risen to the bait absurdly quickly, perhaps he… no… but it seemed so. Already the mech had his fists clenched and Starscream's smirk grew wider.

"Well, this is interesting." Bumblebee glared at that.

"What's interesting?"

"How much do you care for dear sweet Arcee?" inquired Starscream, seeing a look of shock cross his optics and Starscream cackled. It had been a very long time since he'd had this much fun. This was priceless. The Autobot, who had no doubt bulked himself up was no more than a worm under his proverbial heel.

"We're comrades." Starscream snorted at the short reply.

"Really? And nothing more?" Bumblebee glowered.

"Nothing more."

"Really? Shame," Starscream dismissed with a wave of his claw, quickly devising a plan, "she said she really likes you."

"What?" he smirked at the hope he heard in the yellow bot's voice but hid it and turned around with a casual look.

"You didn't know?" Bumblebee had a look of bliss on his features and Starscream grimaced internally, this was disgusting but it would be priceless when Arcee rejected him. Starscream hadn't lied to Bumblebee, Arcee did like him, but she certainly didn't like him in the way he hoped.

"She never said anything."

"They never will, femmes expect mech's to proclaim their fondness, not the other way around." Bumblebee looked far away now.

"She… she likes me?" Starscream couldn't help it anymore, he burst out in laughter, snapping Bumblebee out from his stupor and frowning at the cackling Starscream.

"What?" Bumblebee demanded as Starscream regained control and sneered.

"She likes you? How stupid can you get?" Bumblbee frowned, "Of course she doesn't like you, not past companionship, you worthless pile of scrap. After all this time I would expect Autobots to be slightly more intelligent." Starscream folded his slim arms with a wide smirk at the slight chaos he had created. He felt good knowing he could still do this, could still wind the once voiceless mech up. He still felt a good deal of resentment towards this particular mech after the entire 'T-Cog Incident', it was true Starscram had been the one trying to lure Bumblebee into the trap however, the result had been Starscream getting grounded for an excruciating amount of time, he hadn't appreciated that. Being able to crush the Autobot's dreams now seemed like only fair punishment for the agony of being unable to fly then… although saying that he wasn't allowed to fly now either.

It didn't seem the mech had taken Starscream's teasing very well. He had a prominent glare upon his face and his fists were clenched.

"You're scrap Starscream."

"Oh please," Starscream dismissed with a wave of his hand, "as if I haven't heard that one before." Bumblebee took a step forward and clenched a bulky hand to Starscream's throat, just as the door opened and in stepped Arcee.

It must have looked comical from an outsiders point of view with the insufferable Autobot and Starscream both turning their heads in unison to the door to behold the glaring Arcee.

"What's going on here?" she asked shortly, her optics narrowing dangerously. The Autobot immediately removed the tight hand from Starscream's throat and gaped at his companion.

"Arcee! I can explain-"

"I hope so Bee, because this really isn't what I wanted to come back to today," Arcee shot Starscream as warning look as if daring him to piss her off and he wisely decided that tonight he would try not to annoy her.

"I came round to make sure he was treating you okay, to make sure he wasn't secretly hurting you or… something…" Arcee's gaze had turned more and more incredulous as Bumblebee spoke and upon ending she looked flabbergasted. Starscream would have laughed if he weren't so eager to see how this played out.

"What? Bee, he's been restrained, all his weapons have been removed other than minor ones and seriously, do you really think I can't take care of myself? If Starscream was doing anything to me don't you think you guys would be the first to know?" The Autobot looked ashamed now and glared over at Starscream who just shrugged. He knew the Autobot wouldn't reveal the other slightly touchy subject they had been discussing.

"I'm sorry Arcee, I don't trust him."

"Good, fragging nobody does, scrap if you did trust him I'd have your systems checked. I'm not an idiot Bee, I'm insulted you thought I even needed to be checked up on." Now the yellow mech looked worried.

"Look, Arcee, I'm-"

"Yes, I get it, you're sorry. Now go." She opened the door for him and gave him a look that clearly told him there was no argument to be had. Giving Starscream one more scathing look, the mech left and Arcee slammed the door shut leaving the room in silence.

"You may have already guessed," snarled Arcee in one of the foulest moods Starscream had ever seen her, "but I am really not in the mood for your scrap today." Starscream nodded simply, watching as his 'roommate' threw down some papers on a desk and went into her room. Starcream remained where he was for a moment before walking over and turning on the cybervision, flicking through news channels and odd shows until he got to a movie that seemed to just be starting up.

Working in the broadcast tower had given Starscream some insight into how the culture and technology of this planet worked, he still hated it but he now understood it, he liked this channel the most, where they ran movie after movie non-stop. It was handy if you just wanted to sit down and watch something to pass the time. Starscream leaned back, adjusting his wings as he watched the beginning credits roll past and enter into the film.

It was maybe half an Earth hour later that he heard a noise and looked towards Arcee's room. She seemed to have calmed slightly, although she still seemed tense and liable to snap. Her eyes were on the cybervision.

"I like this one," she said simply before walking over towards the energon storage. Sensing Starscream could sacrifice his pride for one night he turned to face her.

"You can watch too if you like."

"Thank you Starscream for giving me permission in my own home." Fine, scrap it then, Starscream sneered and returned his optics to the film concluding Arcee could get lost. He was therefore surprised when she settled down beside him, eyes on the screen. Starscream simply shrugged to himself and returned to watching the film.

It was getting late as the film wrapped up, a decent romance as it transpired, about two bots in some judgemental society of two families, sworn against the other, falling in love and dying for it. Starscream had found it very odd.

"It's based on a human play, you know?" Arcee spoke as the credits rolled and Starscream turned to her.

"Oh?"

"Romeo and Juliet, Jack told me about it a million times when he had to do essays on it." Starscream vaguely remembered Jack being a small human flesh bag but let it pass for once.

"Interesting." Arcee looked to Starscream before sighing and looking up at him with those blazing blue optics.

"Look, Starscream, I know we're not the best of friends," Starscream snorted here but Arcee continued, "and I know that if either of us could we would kill the other right now. But today at work I felt so… frustrated, there were a lot of idiots wanting a lot of orders and I don't want to be done there and I come back here only to be faced with you trying to pick a fight. It's too much and I'm not having it." Starscream smiled dangerously.

"What are you proposing, Arcee?" She glowered.

"A truce, Starscream. I know you probably love it but I'm starting to hate going in for work and coming home, and I'm not having it, this is my solution. I'm not saying we need to be friends or even sweet and kind to each other but can we at least stop the death threats and the sneers." Instinctually Starscream sneered here.

"Last I recall you made the death threats."

"I know," snapped Arcee with a sigh following, "this goes both ways. This benefits you just as much as me. Alright? I don't want to come home to have you biting my head off everyday. I did a favour, getting you out, the least you can do is comply to this."

"And in return you agree to stop biting my head off about everything?" Arcee actually smiled slightly at that.

"Yes. I suppose that's only fair." Starscream returned with his own small smile.

"Good. Well, if that's settled then I'll be off to bed. Goodnight Starscream." And with those words Arcee up and left into her room.

…

He woke to darkness, it was extremely dark as he slowly opened his red optics, casting light across the room. He felt very drowsy… everything seemed very surreal. He could see nothing amiss, just Arcee's apartment just the way it should be, the stars twinkled outside. He lay back down to sleep when he felt something shift next to him he turned over to see her there, her sleepy features mirroring exactly how he felt.

"Don't complain," she whispered as she put an arm around him and pulled him closer so their helms were touching. Starscream just watched her as sleep claimed her again.

"I wasn't going to" And then they were both asleep… an odd dream…