Oh boy has it been a while.
Hey everyone. You are all probably wondering where I have been.
Or you aren't and just want to get to the story, if that is the case just jump ahead to when the bold text stops and you go right into the action!

As for where I have been. You know how you need something to write on? I mostly did this with my personal laptop. Guess three times what broke! The casing on my laptop started to just fall off. It didn't help that I was in my last year of college and actually had to work full time in a research team which pretty much means you often have work weeks of +50 hours because that sweet sweet research life.

Anyway, the time got away from me and sadly my writing suffered the consequences.
Then there is also always the matter of actually having motivation to write it all down or not actually having inspiration to write more. These things come and go for me which has been most often the reason for my lack of activity and progress.

But here we are! Only like what… 9 or 10 months later with an update? Oh man at least I managed to keep the haitus under a year this time.

Does this mean I will be back with regular updates?

If I am being honest. No. I do not know when The next part will come as to before now I at least had somekind of outline. Right now I am crafting the plot as I go. And while I would love to give you all more updates I do not want the story to suffer under it. For this reason I prefer to take it easy with the writing, reread what I have written until now. And take my time to finish it all.

I do plan on finishing this, I have been with this story for four years now, if not longer, and I am not giving up on it. I promised myself I would eventually finish this and I am planning on keeping that promise.

All I ask of you is to please accept this and my way of working. Sorry for the very long wait but I really hope you guys will enjoy this next chapter!

Warning: un-beta'ed

No one spoke as the stared in shock at Bumblebee. Bumblebee for his part smiled sheepish as an awkward silence fell over the room.

When a soft voice broke the silence.

"Bee?" Raf stood on the banister, hands gripping the iron railing unshed tears in his eyes.

Bumblebee turned towards the voice and walked over, "Hey buddy, sorry for- Raf!" Bumblebee quickly caught the small human as Raf flung himself at Bumblebee laughing as tears run down his face.

"Oh Raf, I am okay. See? Ratchet fixed me up alright. Just some welds now." Bumblebee tried to calm the small human down but Raf's tears didn't stop as he hugged Bee's thumb close to him. Bee smiled at his human charge before turning carefully, realizing that Raf wasn't going to let go for a while. Only to lose his balance as a heavy weight slammed into him from the side.

"Arcee! I just repaired him!" Ratchet started to move forwards only to be stopped by Optimus.

Optimus turned to Ratchet, "They are all fine Ratchet… Furthermore, I believe they all need this.".

At the end of Optimus sentence Ratchet turned his sight back on the two bots and human on the ground. Arcee had her arms around Bumblebee's helmet and shoulders as she muttered to him. Bumblebee still had Raf safely in one hand as he used his other free arm to hug Arcee back as much as he could.

The femme's action had managed to shock the other Autobots out of their surprise as they moved over to welcome Bumblebee back and make sure he was okay. The other four humans smiled down from the banister, waiting their turn instead of repeating Raf's trust fall.

"We can wait until they all had some time together." Optimus spoke, his voice betraying his own happiness, "Without Soundwave on the Nemesis the Decepticons are at much less strength which makes us able to take our time while figuring out this situation.".

Ratchet sighed but nodded as he stopped trying to get to move towards the freshly repaired bot, "Fine, but if any of those overenthusiastic bots open any of those welds you are also taking the blame." Optimus chuckled.

"I will happily take that responsibility my friend.".

.~,~.

It took quite some time before everyone had managed to welcome Bumblebee back. It took even longer for Arcee to let go of her brother in arms and to move them all to the open area where they could sit and talk.

In the end Bumblebee had moved Raf back to the banister, much to the young humans annoyance, to stand with the other humans before he ended up seated on one of the large metal crates. With Arcee seated right next to him. The other bots who had managed to secure a seat where Bulkhead and Ultra Magnus.

"Now that we are all once again calm," Optimus started, "We have some important matters to discuss."

Some of the bots nodded but Smokescreen stopped the conversation real quick, "Quick question before we start." He didn't wait to get the go ahead as he turned to the yellow mech, "When did you get your voice back? Did Ratchet repair it? Because I thought the whole reason you hadn't yet was because that we didn't have the materials and stuff to do it?"

Ratchet sighed, "If you had waited for a moment longer Smokescreen, we could have explained that as well. It is part of what we were going to talk about.".

Arcee glared and turned to those in comment, "Don't tell me that slag-eating piece of scrap-"

Optimus held up a servo to stop Arcee, "Yes but if you all would wait with the questions we can lay down all the information and decide together what we can do next.". Optimus paused to give every bot a chance to bring something else into the conversation before he continued himself, "As I have explained before. It seems like the situation we have found ourselves in is much more complicated than we had thought. Bumblebee told Ratchet and myself what had happened while he stayed on the nemesis and I have shared this with all of you. Which now leaves us with a difficult decision to make."

The prime paused once more to give anyone who wanted to room to speak but when no one spoke up he continued.

"Before we start, Bumblebee?" The prime turned to the scout, "If anything isn't as I say it is please speak up and if you feel uncomfortable you can leave whenever you wish."

Bumblebee nodded, "I will remember that Optimus."

The prime gave a small smile before turning back to all the gathered Autobots and their allies.

"Let us start with the facts.

"About 28 joors ago, almost 47 days, Bumblebee's heat started" Bumblebee gave a nod, "And in this heat Soundwave came by and decided to use you.".

Another nod and slight shrug as Bee spoke "I don't remember many details but I am pretty sure…" Bee paused and looked at the young humans for a second before continuing, "I don't think it… fully happened.".

Optimus nodded, "Thank you Bumblebee, and then 15 joors ago soundwave took you while we investigated the mine which had collapsed." Bee gave another nod.

"Which leads us to what happened on the nemesis, which I have already shared with you all. To summarize, while Bumblebee had been taken he had not been hurt or used." Some bots looked at Bumblebee but the young mech nodded, showing that that really had been the case.

"At least until Megatron decided he wanted to try and send us a message as he himself could work though some frustration. The wounds Bumblebee had obtained were all from this fight. Soundwave realized what was happening and decided to step in.

"Once Soundwave left the nemesis with Bumblebee he contacted us though the message you all saw. He requested a meeting and while I went there he explained what had happened, which was exactly the same as Bumblebee had told us, except for some details. He however was not going to return Bumblebee to us unless he was allowed to come back to base, which I honored." Bumblebee pulled a face at that information, while Arcee started to straight up glare at the door which lead to the brigs.

"Which brings us to now. Ratchet and I have spoken for a bit and we have a good idea on why Soundwave is doing what he is. And we think it is because Soundwave's spark has chosen Bumblebee-"

"Wait what!?" Bumblebee stared in shock as his wings were raised up. Arcee looked over at her friend.

"You mean you didn't figure that out yet?"

Bumblebee shook his head "No! Why would I think that it is an option?!"

Smokescreen grinned and leaned over, "At least you know he is serious. He deflected for you.". Bumblebee turned even paler as his optics became slightly unfocussed as random observations started to click in place and paint the full picture.

"Oh no he actually is…" He groaned as he gripped his helmet between his hands, only to whine slightly at the sensitive welds.

Arcee frowns and gently moved bee's servos away from the welds, Ratchet was already next to them and checked over the repairs.

"You didn't rip anything, but try to refrain from touching them Bumblebee."

Bumblebee nodded with a groan, "Got it Ratchet… pit that hurt.".

Ratchet nodded but Arcee looks curious, "I take this puts some things and or actions into perspective?"

The scout sighed but nodded, "It does…" Bumblebee groaned and leaned back against the wall, clearly unwilling to say more about it for now, leaving an awkward silence.

Miko just grinned, "I dunno why you all are so annoyed, Soundwave repairing Bee's voice is an awesome gift if you ask me."

Every bot turned to look at the human teenager.

"What? It is obvious that Soundwave repaired his voice." Miko looked ready to continue but Jack stopped her by pulling her back down to sit next to him and Raf on the banister side.

Bee sighed, "It is more than that." the bots and their human allies focused on Bumblebee once more, "Soundwave showed me this report once… I didn't fully understood why but now I do. It was a report on a mining operation, that you all had attacked. It spoke of lower number of guards than what we had usually seen. Once I pointed this out Soundwave said that there had been a 'miscommunication'."

Arcee cursed as she understood what had happened.

Agent Fowler looked at all the bots who looked different degrees of annoyed to angry, "So what I understand. Is that this Con, one of the main Cons of the Cons. Decided to throw it all away for the simple reason as to please an Autobot?" the human turned to the yellow scout, "Is this correct soldier?" said scout just shrugged with a slight nod.

Optimus, the only one that had remained calm though the reveal, spoke "It seems that our conclusion may hold true. Which leaves us to one last discussion. Do we let Soundwave stay in the base-"

Arcee didn't even wait for Optimus to finish as she jumped up, "Absolutely not!"

Wheeljack nodded, "I agree, let's throw that Con out, or better. Finish him off while we have the chance."

"What no!" Miko was pouting, "I get stuff happened but isn't this a good thing? Soundwave can help us win this war and everything!"

Jack looked unsure, "Miko, Soundwave is dangerous-"

"Yeah Yeah I know." Miko interrupted the other teenager, "But it stays with the fact that Soundwave did do a lot of things for Bee! I mean, I agree that the start was a mess and a half. But he is doing better and helping. Let him continue to help so we can defeat the cons for good in trade for say letting him live in that peaceful world!"

Ultra magnus nodded, "Well I doubt the human and I have the same reasoning. Having Soundwave as an assist to the Autobot cause is more than we could ever ask for. It will heavily outweigh the negatives-"

"You want that heat abuser to stay here with Bumblebee!" everyone shut up as Arcee shouted, the femme was furious, "I don't see how this is even a discussion to begin with. That pit eating fragger used Bee while in heat. This shouldn't be a discussion and he needs to be thrown out if not completely destroyed.".

No one dared to go against the dark blue femme and Arcee nodded.

Raf turned to his friend, "Bee? What do you think?"

Bumblebee frowned as he looked at his charge before looking at one of his welded shut wounds, deep in thought.

The prime noticed the thoughtful look before looking around the area to see what his team thought, he knew what everyone was going to vote.
Arcee and Wheeljack will be voting 'No' no matter what, both of them not trusting the Decepticons to really want a second chance for different reasons. Ultra Magnus will vote 'Yes' seeing the unity as a necessary evil to end the war in their favor. Smokescreen would abstain or vote for whatever the Prime voted for himself. Ratchet would be unwilling at first but in the end accept the Decepticon staying there for the same reasons as Ultra Magnus. Bulkhead would vote 'Yes' because it would be what his charge would want.

The humans would vote differently. Miko would vote a clear 'Yes', she had understood earlier than anyone else what had been going on. The girl would want to see it though and see how it would further develop. Agent Fowler could go either way, the Prime not being sure what the old soldier would pick as more important, the chance on success or the principle that one of his soldiers had been hurt because of it. Nurse June would vote a 'No', she would not be able to see past the fact that someone had been hurt and would continue to be possibly hurt by it. Jack would much like Smokescreen abstain but for the reason that he wouldn't believe he had any right to influence the voting because it wasn't about him. Raf would pick whatever Bumblebee would want.

Which, turned back to what the answer should be or who was the one who's vote should matter the most.

"Bumblebee." The prime's voice broke though the light bickering as the scout looked up, "What do you think should happen? Do you think that Soundwave should be allowed to stay, should be banned out of the base, or should be offlined?"

Silence followed as Bee frowned, deep in thought.

Arcee huffed, "That is an obvious answer Optimus. He should be offlined-"

"I already know your opinion on the matter Arcee. But if I remember correctly Bumblebee has stopped you multiple times from doing something just like that, which you would one day maybe regret."

The femme didn't look happy about being called out like that but she stayed quiet.

All the Autobots and humans turned to the scout. Bumblebee frowned as he leaned back against the wall again. Raf leaned closer from the banister "Bee?"

The yellow bot turned to his charge "Just thinking. Thinking about the right choice."

The young human nodded and climbed down from the banister, Bumblebee quickly helped him down unto his shoulder.

"Sometimes…" Raf started "when I am studying and can't make sense of things… It helps to explain it to myself. Like, saying it out loud helps." He smiles.

The yellow bot frowns for a bit before nodding "I am just thinking about the three options. None of them seem perfect to me. If we offline Soundwave, we do just what the Cons would do. Soundwave came here willingly and isn't posing a threat right now. If we kill him it would be killing someone who surrendered. That isn't something we do or should be wanting to do, it is something that the Decepticons would do." The yellow mech grew quiet as he let it sink in.

Raf nodded, "I get it. If you were to pick that option it would just show that what made the Autobots and Decepticon different from each other has disappeared or is disappearing." The bot nodded. "What about the other two options?"

Bumblebee sighed "Neither are great. I mean. I don't like the idea of him staying here but that is for personal reasons. The option of just kicking him out of base is worse though."

Raf looked curious "how so?".

"Well… right now he is in our base, right where he wanted to be." Bumblebee started.

"So why not just kick him out? If he wants to be here why not stop that? He is out and we don't have to deal with him." Raf looked at his guardian curiously.

"Because he is a neutral now." Bumblebee stated.

Silence followed them.

Jack frowned, "I don't understand." Both Raf and Bumblebee looked up at the older human. "Why is it a bad thing to kick Soundwave out while he is a neutral?"

"Because he isn't following any rules now." Bumblebee started but then frowned, "How to explain this… While I was in the nemesis I had a chance to get to know, or at least understand, Soundwave more. What I discovered is that he is very logical in every aspect of his life. Both work and social interacting. The thing is, when he was a Decepticon he was following orders and rules. He had a structure he followed, now he isn't."

Miko jumped up "Which means that he is a complete wildcard! Oh… oh!"

Bumblebee nodded "I am afraid. That if we kick him out of base. Soundwave will not stop but he will not go back to the Decepticons."

Wheeljack groaned "You think that if we kick him out, he will go his own way and go solo?".

Bumblebee nodded "That is what I think will happen if we kick him out. Which would just end up with us having to fight the Decepticons and having to watch out for Soundwave at all times for whatever he is planning."

Arcee frowned and glared at the ground "I am still not happy with having Soundwave stay here."

"It doesn't need to be bad." Bumblebee patted Arcee's shoulder "We all know that Soundwave wants to stay here. And I am sure he knows that as well. Which gives us the advantage." He smiled "We can say he can stay if he follows our rules. Not to forget…" The scout looked at Optimus and smiled "Doesn't everyone deserve a second chance? Wasn't that what the Autobots was build on? I don't like him but that doesn't exclude the fact that he may fully change."

Ratchet looked up "And with these rules. We can ensure that he doesn't turn on us. And we can say that if he breaks any of these rules there will be consequences.". The scout nodded.

Arcee huffed "First rule. He isn't allowed anywhere near Bee." Bumblebee looked up and was ready to say anything before Arcee continued "second rule. He isn't allowed to come near the humans or touch any of them."

Ratchet glared at the femme "Now wait Arcee. We need to still decide-"

"I actually think that is the best conclusion" The prime spoke up with a proud smile on his face "By letting him stay but implementing rules we don't do what the Decepticons would do. And we don't endanger this world or the inhabitants by letting Soundwave just go outside. And I do agree with the second rule but the first rule would not be possible as for Soundwave would never accept it seeing as his whole reason for being here is Bumblebee." Bumblebee groaned while Arcee growled.

Ultra Magnus nodded "Every well. Other rules that will need to be added. That he helps us with the relic translation and that he is forbidden from going near the space bridge or the space bridge controls."

The other Autobots nodded in agreement.

"Very well additions Ultra Magnus." Optimus looked around his group, "and while we could add a numerous amount of unnecessary rules I do believe we have already reached the main 4 and a 5th that I wish to add myself.

"First rule. Soundwave isn't allowed to go near the Human and he isn't allowed to hurt or touch them." All the autoboots nodded.

"Second rule. He is not to make any movements to hurt any of us. This is a rule I thought was necessary to add myself." All the bots looked other ways a bit sheepish as they had forgotten about that fact.

"Third rule. He isn't allowed near the space bridge or the space bridge controls unless there is an emergency and the only way for Soundwave to help is by using the space bridge." Everyone started to protest before Optimus could finish the sentence. Optimus looked at the bots and smiled "Yes?"

All the bots seemed to want to talk at once but it was miss June that stopped them, "Everyone!" The bots grew quiet and all turned towards the human adult. "One at a time."

It was agent Fowler who stepped forward "Why the change in the rule Prime? Why even leave the loophole for Soundwave to abuse?"

The bots all nodded in agreement and looked at their leader.

The Prime nodded "I see why you all worry but I wish to rise a different possibility. If we are in danger he could help us, and if he stays here and we give him this second chance. We need to be willing to trust him and show faith."

The autoboots grumbled and shuffled around but none of them seemed willing to fully go against their leader and the logic behind the decision. As easy as it would be to just kick the Decepticon out it would just prove that there was no difference between the two groups. Even if they had all been burned by the Decepticon betrayal, as Autobots they had to believe that everyone could better themselves and the Prime pushed them once again to see what made them Autobots and why it was important.

"Now," Optimus saw that the Autobots had once again become calm "While we can't forbid Soundwave from going near Bumblebee as he would never accept." Bumblebee groaned loudly to show his displeasure at the situation "How about a slightly different rule. fourth rule, Soundwave isn't allowed to be alone with Bumblebee but is allowed to interact with him when anyone of us is near." The prime turned to his scout "Is this acceptable with you Bumblebee?".

The yellow mech looked around, thought it over before nodding, "That sounds okay to me."

Optimus nodded and looked around before settling his gaze on Ultra Magnus "It would be fantastic if Soundwave was willing to help us with the translation. However, it is very well possible that he isn't willing to do this yet. He has only just left the Decepticons and may need more time to adjust."

Smokescreen snorted "Or Bee can just ask him. Bet he would do it if his 'Intented' asked him" Smokescreen laughed more while Bumblebee glared at the rookie before his eyes shot back to the medic and the distance between him and Smokescreen. There was a second of silence where Bumblebee carefully set Raf back on the banister before he turned and tackled the rookie.

Ratchet jumped up "Bumblebee stop doing that you may rip a weld and Smokescreen don't antagonize Bumblebee!" the medic rushed over to break the two fighting mechs up, well fighting was an overstatement.

While Smokescreen was very skilled in battle he had had no time to use his phaseshifter. Without it he didn't stand a chance against the much more experienced scout who, while not as refined in his fighting style as Smokescreen, was much more aware of his limitations, his strengths and his weaknesses.

The two rolled were Smokescreen tried to counter but they ended up with Bumblebee holding Smokescreen in a headlock in the middle of the room without a new scratch on him while Smokescreen groaned and tried to break free, "I yield! I yield!"

Bumblebee grinned "What is wrong Smokey? I thought you wanted to spar more often?"

Smokescreen huffed and tried to twist free "Yeah! But not with you still healing! I… I went easy on you!"

Bumblebee huffed as he held slightly tighter "You sure about that?"

"Okay okay! You won! Now let me go!" Smokescreen whined as he tried once more to break free to no success. When Bumblebee didn't answer the rookie whined again "Okay okay I am sorry okay! Sorry I joked about the whole courting thing like that okay? Sorry." Bumblebee nodded and let go of the other.

Ratchet stomped over and pulled Bumblebee along.

"Wait! Ratchet I am fine!" The scout quickly followed the angry medic.

Ratchet pulled Bumblebee back to his spot where an amused Arcee was already getting up from her seat, "Tackling others in spar when you just got repaired for almost having your helmet be split open. What were you thinking!" Bumblebee opened his mouth but Ratchet snapped "Don't answer that! It means you weren't thinking. Sit down and let me check you over while Optimus continue his whole speech." Ratchet pushed the scout down and sat down on Arcee's seat to check the scout.

The Prime sighed as he shot both younger mechs a look of disapproval "Now. Bumblebee, you know better than to let you get baited. But Smokescreen, this is a serious situation and one must never joke around about matters of intendeds and or courting."

Both younger mechs nodded and muttered an apology towards their leader.

"Now that we have that cleared up." Optimus continued and turned back to the group as a whole "do we all agree on the matters and the rules we have spoken about?" The group all gave their confirmation and while Arcee still seemed unhappy with the situation she also nodded. "Then I will go talk with our guest to see if he agrees to these limitations."

Ultra Magnus stood up and stood by the prime "I will come with you sir.".

Optimus nodded "Of course Ultra Magnus." He turned back to the other autoboots "I believe it is for the best for us all to keep our patrols going as we had scheduled. There is a chance the Decepticons do not know yet that Bumblebee is back with us and Soundwave has surrendered. And just to be sure no information is leaked we should not talk about these matters outside of the base or over communication lines. It is better to be safe than sorry."

The bots nodded while Bulkhead and Smokescreen stood up to go on their scheduled patrol.

Optimus turned to Ratchet "Do you wish to join our conversation with Soundwave as well, old friend?"

Ratchet stopped checking over the young scout and turned towards the prime. He remained silent as he looked towards the door to the brigs before nodding "I may as well." He turned and pointed at Bumblebee, "You!" The scout's doorwings shot up as he waited "No training, No fighting, No joyrides. You are remaining in this room in light conversation until I am back or those welds are fully healed." Bumblebee quickly nodded. Ratchet grinned lightly before following the prime and magnus through the door.

Silence was left behind… until.

"So… you guys got courting?" Miko spoke with a grin while the other humans looked curious as well. Bulkhead and Smokescreen took this as their clue to disappear though the groundbridge for patrol.

-~.~-

"I hate this."

Soundwave sighed "I know that Ravage. But we must wait."

Ravage pouted as he glared at the energy field in front of him. Laserbeak looked at her creator from the older mech's shoulder "Have you heard anything from their thoughts yet?"

Soundwave chuckled "I have heard a lot.". While locked in the brig Soundwave had focused on the thoughts of the Autobots, except for one of course. And it seemed that the conversation had gone favorable towards him. He hadn't managed to catch all the details but managed to understand the greater line of the conversation "From what I understand. We will be allowed to stay if we follow a set of rules."

Laserbeak nodded while Ravage growled "Stupid Autobots. I still think we should have just stayed on our own. We could have managed."

"Bumblebee would have offlined of his wounds without help of a medic." Soundwave stated it calmly but felt his spark speed up slightly. He wanted to know how his bot was doing. He had seen him in the thoughts of others but that wasn't enough. He had seen the welds. He wanted to know if these hurt. Why weren't the Autobots asking these questions?

Soundwave groaned and glared at where he could hear the thoughts of the bots. He could read Bumblebee's mind but he didn't want to do that, he didn't want to invade his intended's mind like that.

Laserbeak heard him sigh "The Autobots not giving enough information?"

Soundwave turned to his cassettes before turning back to watch the door "They are not forward enough with their questions. They do not ask the questions I wish to hear answer too."

Ravage chuckled didn't curiosity kill the cat?

Soundwave chuckled before answering "That may be the case but satisfaction brought it back" Ravage grinned and rolled up next to Soundwave to nap out the waiting. Laserbeak however just watched Soundwave calmly. Soundwave felt the optics on him "Yes?"

What do we do if we are not allowed near Bumblebee?

Soundwave frowned as he thought it over "They may try… But the prime knows why I came here. He knows that we will not accept not seeing him. We will just have to remind him that while we are in their base we are not at the disadvantage." Soundwave turned towards his symbiotic "I do not wish for this matter to go that direction." If we were to fight the Autobots it would displease and hurt Bumblebee "We will just see what the Autobots have to offer as for said rules and how to spin it into our favor." Laserbeak nodded when suddenly the door towards the brigs opened.

Soundwave watched three mechs walk into the corridor. Optimus prime, Ultra Magnus and Ratchet.
He wasn't surprised but he hadn't expected Ultra Magnus. He would have to be careful of that mech. While the Prime would be willing to make second chances and the medic just wanted to ensure the safety of the team Ultra Magnus could be a lot more ambitions towards the war effort which could cause some trouble.

The three stopped before his brig and Soundwave waited for the Autobots to start speaking. There was a long silence.

Ultra Magnus glared "You don't have anything to say for yourself Con?"

Soundwave tilted his head slightly before tuning fully to Ultra Magnus "I have a lot to say. However I assumed that we were here for business. But if you wish for me to talk very well." He paused shortly before continuing "We all know what is going to be discussed now so I did not see a reason to start talking about things that did not matter. However there seems to be a small misunderstanding. I am not a Decepticon anymore, as I have already told your leader." Soundwave turned and nodded to Optimus prime before turning back to Ultra magnus "For this reason I do expect to not be called a Decepticon anymore but a neutral." Soundwave nodded to himself while Laserbeak giggled from his shoulder.

I doubt they expected you to say that Sir. She smiled as she looked at Soundwave.

Soundwave turned to Laserbeak "I am well aware but I do not see why I should say anything else which would just be a waste of time and not important at the moment." Soundwave turned back to the three Autobots "With that in mind. How about we get started on talking about the matter why you three came to me for."

Ultra Magnus glared at him while Optimus prime and Ratchet shoot each other a glance. Optimus stepped forward and held up a servo to stop Ultra Magnus and spoke up himself.

"Very well, I assume that you have been keeping track of our general thoughts while we had our discussion?" Optimus paused as Soundwave gave a nod, "very well. Then I will keep this short." Soundwave had always been able to appreciate the Prime's ability to cut straight to the chase without feeling the need to include to many politics to the conversation at hand.

"We know you wish to remain on base as a neutral, and more importantly, be able to interact and speak with Bumblebee." Optimus paused once more before speaking with a gentle smile, "He is awake and up and about again. He will need to heal but none of the damage he got is permanent." Ultra Magnus turned to his leader but Ratchet saw Soundwave's shoulders slightly relax as the cassettes showed clear relieve.

The prime waved of the concerns from Ultra Magnus as he continued "As for you staying on base. We spoke as a group and have agreed to letting you stay if you and your cassettes follow the following rules.

First rule: You will not harm nor touch any of the humans we have on base. Second rule: You will not make any move to harm any Autobot. Third rule: You are not allowed near the space bridge or the controls or the computer. Unless, there is an emergency and the only way you can help is to use these." Soundwave tilted his head slightly at the third rule but stayed quiet. Laserbeak and Ravage were much more obvious in their surprise and confused looks.

"As for the fourth and last rule: You," Optimus focused on Soundwave alone "Are not allowed to be alone with Bumblebee, however. You are allowed to interact and speak with him when anyone else of us Autobots is present." Ravage was already up and growling while Laserbeak looked slightly distressed. Soundwave just watched Optimus.

Ravage growled "Seriously? We saved him. If we wanted him hurt it would have already happened. This is such-"

The medic interrupted the cassette "But that is the issue, isn't it? Because you have already done him harm before. Honestly I think Bumblebee is still being too nice and understanding with this."

Laserbeak flow over to her brother to calm him down while Soundwave leaned closer "I will accept these terms." The cassettes both looked up shocked, same for the Autobots.

Soundwave continued as he heard the question before any of them would speak, "I am well aware of why I am here and why you all believe I am here. But the fact remains that you have brought my interest to Bumblebee's attention sooner than I wanted, which means that Bumblebee will be less willing to interact and converse to begin with. I will accept the first three rules seeing the security and safety reasons behind them. The last rule I will accept for Bumblebee's comfort. Now. May I leave the brig now I accepted the rules and the consequences of breaking these rules?"

Ultra Magnus glared "We haven't even spoken about the consequences yet. How come you already accept them without knowing them?"

Soundwave looked calm "Because I am not planning on breaking any of these rules. That would be counterproductive to what I want."

Ratchet turned to Optimus, hesitation clear in his eyes and voice "Optimus…"

The prime studied the ex-decepticon carefully before nodding "Very well. But do try to not antagonize any of the Autobots. And at the night cycle you will have to return here."

Soundwave nodded his acceptance as he rose from his spot on the ground "Aside from those four rules I expect you will be wanting to keep me hidden for a while. Seeing as the Decepticons do not know yet I am gone here?" Soundwave was all business as he waited for Ultra Magnus to open the door to his cell. Optimus gave his affirmative as Soundwave nodded "As expected." The door opened and Soundwave stepped out.

Ratchet huffed as he shot Optimus a look, Soundwave could hear the doubt in the old medic's mind and it seemed that the prime understood the warning the medic tried to commune, If this ends badly you will be held for the blame.

The four turned towards where the others were located and Soundwave's spark did a little jump as he got closer to his intended. The easy part of getting Bumblebee out and repairs had been done. He hadn't wanted the scout to know about his full interest and intentions, at least not so soon. But he would have to work with it now. Even if it meant going even slower.

He did wonder when it would be a good time to bring up the fact he had called Rumble and Frenzy to this planet and of their unavoidable arrival.