It has been an hour, and Megatron was still pacing. Saphira sat on the bed, listening to him silently. She had considered speaking to Optimus again, but she worried she would be spoken to by Megatron and she wouldn't hear him, and it would probably make him mad again. Still, now that she herself has calmed down, she wondered if she should go to the door and simply watch him. She knew he was pacing because he was angry and frustrated. She did know he will be furious when he finds out that Starscream has left the decepticons to live as a nomad, she didn't know when he would find out.
Deciding that it was better than just laying on the bed waiting for him to stop pacing, Saphira got off her bed and walked to the front door. She walked so lightly and quietly that Megatron didn't see her. She watched him as he walked back and forth in the room, his expression appeared to be a mixture of emotions. It was a mix of confusion, frustration and...something else, she couldn't quite tell what it was. But she said nothing in case he would yell at her for it. She had enough of taking the brunt of his anger for today.
A couple minutes pass and Megatron stopped by his berth and intakes heavily, clenching his hands tightly for a moment. He turned his head towards the house and blinked when he saw Saphira. "How long have you been standing there?"
Saphira flinched a little at his question and shrugged. "Not long...but I could hear you for at least an hour."
Megatron grumbled something to himself and turned to face Saphira, walking closer to the house, his expression holding zero anger now. "I had been wrong that Starscream had been left with the autobots. He managed to get away. Our scanners picked up his signal, but he has refused any communication and he eventually shut off his signal. He has abandoned us..." He clenched his hand as he spoke about Starscream.
Saphira was surprised that he figured that out very quickly, which was good as he may relent what he had said earlier to her. "Oh...I guess it should not be a surprise. Starscream's loyalty...well...you already know."
"I would have thought he would have changed after I nearly allowed him to be crushed," Megatron said, growling a little as he spoke about him. "It seems I have been a fool. I do not know what I will do if I come across Starscream. I know he will wish he had not left the decepticons. That is something I know he will feel." Saphira smiled slightly as she listened to him, unsurprised that Megatron probably would either kill Starscream or torture him to the point of wishing to be dead. Megatron's optics observe the girl silently for a moment before he speaks. "Because of this knowledge, you are no longer confined to this house, and things will be as they were before." She nodded, understanding what he was saying. Megatron intakes heavily again and his expression softened a little. "I also wanted to say...I didn't mean to...get angry and chase you in the cave earlier. I should have listened and let you show me the white energon crystals when you said you forgot something. I just let my anger take control of me."
Saphira stared at him in surprise. It sounded like he was apologizing. She smiled at him and stepped out of the door. "Apology accepted."
Megatron looked at her in surprise and frowned. "I didn't apologize, I just said I was wrong for..."
"Which is an apology," Saphira interrupts, giving him an innocent smile. "You don't have to say sorry for it to be an apology. And don't worry, I won't tell any of the other decepticons that you did."
Megatron was baffled, he has never met anyone quite like Saphira before. She accepted his apology, even though he had actively scared her. "You are a strange creature, Saphira." She giggles and Megatron felt his spark warm at the sound of her giggling, again a feeling he was unfamiliar with. "How is it possible that you don't seem...normally anyone who I've managed to instil terror into, would not normally quick to accept an apology. Yet...you have. You...have been nervous here, but you have somehow managed to...remain calm. Even though you already know your fate."
Saphira listened to Megatron speak to her and she shrugged. She didn't know why she was like this, but she felt it was better than panicking all the time. "I don't really know the answer to that. But...I guess...because I have been inflicted with far worse, and...it isn't the first time I've stared death in the face."
Megatron raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by far worse?"
"My father, Ronan, my stepmother Laura and stepsister Samantha...and my ex boyfriend, Xavier...they were the ones who caused me more pain than you," Saphira responded. "I already told you briefly about what my father did. But I didn't tell you the other things he had done. Though...not sure why it would interest you."
Normally he would not be interested, but...Megatron had a feeling in him. He somehow didn't like the idea of someone else hitting Saphira. That very feeling was alien to him...and he didn't want to get rid of the feeling. "I think you would be surprised by what will and won't interest me. If Optimus killed your father, then it was for a very good reason."
Saphira nodded. "It was for a good reason. After my mother died, my father got remarried to Laura. At first, things were okay, but it became clear from Laura that she didn't like me. She hated that my father's attention would go to me and not her and her daughter. Laura started with emotional and mental abuse, tearing me down and making me feel worthless. When I turned ten, it is when my father changed. And it was the first time he struck me, and that gave ammo for my stepmother and stepsister to get physical with me too."
Saphira flinched when he heard a light growl from Megatron. "Why did your father hurt you?"
"I have never gotten the true answer for that," Saphira said with a shrug, moving to take a seat and lean against the wall. "I think Laura was the reason, honestly. But...I think he disliked me for longer than that. He gave me a watch that had a tracking device in it before I turned ten...and we were still enjoying life...if he ever enjoyed spending time with me." She sighed deeply and continued to speak. "The father I knew was completely gone when Optimus killed him. He turned into a psychopath."
Megatron was actually wishing that her father was still alive so that he could deal with the human the way he saw fit. "What do you mean by psychopath? Did he...kill other people?"
Saphira nodded. "He first killed my ex. Xavier had been dating me before Samantha managed to get her claws into him, and he joined in on the abuse. The day I met Arcee...Xavier was trying to kill me..." She smiled a little at that memory of running into Arcee. She glanced at Megatron, he didn't seem angry by hearing the femme's name and she continued. "It wasn't his last attempt to kill me. He tried a second time when he figured out I was traveling with Optimus, and he got broken bones from it. I think that's why Ronan killed Xavier."
"Ronan?"
"That's my father's name. I don't ask him as my dad anymore, so I just call him by Ronan." Saphira still didn't know why this was someone Megatron wanted to know, but he was invested as he was listening intently to her. "He put Xavier on display too. He had decapitated Xavier and tied what was left of his body in a tree. Didn't eve know it was Xavier until a DNA test revealed who it was. Ronan tried multiple times to kill me...he almost succeeded. I don't want to talk about what he did to me though...but...I have been in recovery from it since. I'm still meant to be recovering..."
Megatron widens his optics a little. "And I may have hindered that progress..."
Saphira shrugged. "Probably...but this concussion is what needs to heal now. Not so much my body strength."
Megatron was silent for a few minutes, processing the story Saphira had told him. She didn't really into depth like she had with the autobots, but it was enough for him to understand what she has been through. "Does this mean meeting the autobots saved your life?"
She nodded. "Yeah...but...it took a long time. I would be dead now if Optimus didn't stop me when I jumped off a cliff..."
"Why would you do that?" Megatron asked, his optics wide in surprise as he heard her say that to him. "Human lives are so short, why throw it away?"
"Because my mind kept telling me how worthless I was, how no one would miss me and that I was a burden to this very world...it all stems from the abuse I've been through. None of it was anyone's fault but my family." She looked up at Megatron, she could see he was listening intently and she was trying to read his feelings on his face. "To be honest...I didn't think you would care. I'm just a human, so I am worthless to you. But...even though you have told me your plan for Optimus and myself...I'm not afraid of dying. Death's peaceful after all...I'm more afraid for others who I love."
Megatron listened to her, and the fact she wasn't even scared of dying, but rather scared for others and worried about everyone else just seemed...he wasn't used to it. And yet...his spark liked hearing this, not because he knew how she felt, but the humbleness coming from her. Megatron looked away from Saphira, processing his thoughts and feelings, trying to understand them properly. They felt like they were growing, and yet he didn't understand at all.
Saphira observed Megatron. She did wonder why he had chosen to listen to her story. It didn't make sense to her. And yet...it seemed right now Megatron wanted to...protect her. At least that is what she was getting...but she didn't understand. He complimented her earlier, and now that he has calmed down, he's apologized to her and wants to know her.
Something seems strange...and familiar at the same time. I remember when Optimus was acting strange before he and I admitted...does Megatron have feelings for me? Scrap...Airachnid somehow picked that up...
Saphira felt nervous suddenly, she didn't know if she liked that he could have feelings for her. And yet...when he wasn't angry...she was getting along with Megatron, and he was getting along with her. "Megatron. What is it about me that seems to...make you seem different?"
"I have been asking myself the very same question," Megatron responded, turning his gaze to look at her. "I have never had these feelings before. But...when I went by the med bay and saw Breakdown and Knockout...they both were smooching and enjoying each other's company...and it clicked."
Oh no...
"I think...I am not sure...but..." Megatron paused, gritting his teeth as he looked at her, the vibrant red in his optics softening slightly. He huffed and turned away suddenly. "No...it is not possible! Your actions, the way you are taking this whole kidnapping...you are just making it confusing to me! I can't believe I am thinking like this!"
Saphira stood up slowly, biting her bottom lip and swallowing nervously. As much as Megatron was the enemy of the autobots, she already had noticed he was attractive to her. It had bothered her, and made her feel guilty for it, and now she was close to him, and seeing him struggle with his own internal emotions...it was actually upsetting in a way. "Megatron...I am not sure what you are trying to say..."
"Oh, I think you do!" He snapped, looking at her with a frown, making her flinch and step back from him. "When I first saw you when I was harbouring inside of the scout's mind, when I first heard you sing..." Saphira tensed, it never occurred to her that Megatron had heard her singing to Optimus. She even felt her cheeks heat up, making her feel even more nervous. "I felt the first stirring in my spark. I never understood the reason. Every single time I lay my eye upon you...it is as if something deep within me that I have never know is trying to influence my decisions around you."
Saphira tugged at a strand of her hair, twirling it in her finger, a gesture Optimus had always liked. And unknowingly, Megatron was starting to like it too. "Megatron...I think...um..." She swallowed nervously again, looking away from him. "I am not sure what influence I possibly can give you...I am just...ordinary."
"Ordinary would be a human that I would have killed already," Megatron responded calmly. "Ordinary would have been a human I consider annoying and vermin. Ordinary would mean...you wouldn't be with the autobots." She turned her head slightly towards him when he said that, but she does not look at him. "I do not think you have ever been ordinary."
Saphira rubbed her right foot on the back of her left leg nervously. "What are you trying to say, Megatron?" She looked at him. "You...you are avoiding telling me. Are you really not aware of your own feelings at all?"
Megatron stared at her, the question she asked him echoed in his processor. He didn't know how to answer her questions. He huffed and gritted his teeth for a moment before answering. "What is the point of answering those questions, Saphira? It would not matter at all." He turned and walked over to his berth with Saphira staring at him in disbelief. "You should get some rest...I will have Knockout give you a full check over tomorrow."
Saphira watched Megatron slide onto his berth and lay down. She pondered what he had just told her, the way he said it almost sounded as though it pained him to admit something. She didn't quite get what he meant. She decided maybe she would know more the following day. Though as she turned to go back inside, she heard something. She turned to Megatron again, his optics were closed and she heard the sound of someone singing. She realized it was a recording, and it was her singing! She widened her eyes, Optimus had recorded her singing to relax himself and enjoy hearing her voice too. However, something else clicked in her mind.
Does Megatron not believe answering my question because he believes...he cannot be loved anymore?
That notion actually brought tears to her eyes. She believed that anyone can be loved and can love another. Just as Optimus has always believed every being has the capacity for change. She couldn't help but think about Beauty and the Beast, that kind of thought that Megatron may have would be similar to what Beast would have thought.
She took a deep breath and spoke to Megatron. "I know why you said that, Megatron. I understand the way you feel. I felt the same for a long time." She turned to walk into the house to head to bed. "It's a crazy life we live when we start believing our own lies...though...sometimes that is all they are. Lies..."
She walked into the house, not knowing if Megatron had heard her or not. She realized her cheeks were still red and she shakes her head, wondering why she had blushed due to the words Megatron had used. Still, she felt shaken, and confused herself. She felt sad for Megatron...and yet...she also felt guilty. She felt as though she was betraying Optimus, even though only words have been used. She groaned a little and decided to try and sleep it off, and maybe she will forget about it...she hoped anyway.
She fell into a dream sleep again, though when she wakes again, she did not have an angry voice barking at her. She opened her eyes to the dark bedroom and sat up, stretching her arms and yawning, feeling quite well today. Her headache had returned, and as she sat there, she suddenly felt as though the world was spinning. She clutched her head and groaned, she was already over the concussion. She wanted it to just end already.
When the spinning stopped, she got up to use the bathroom and shower, deciding it would make her feel better to start the day. Once that was done, she made herself some toast. She has barely touched the food that had been brought to her, but she has been too distracted to even think about food. But she was eating the food just fine without gagging, so that was a bonus. When she was satisfied, she walked to the front to see if Megatron was in the room.
He wasn't. She was surprised to see an annoyed Knockout and Breakdown leaning on the ways, they were talking to each other with frowns on their faces. Knockout turned his head when he saw movement and narrowed his optics at her. "Well, it's about time!" He walked over to her angrily, making her flinch a little. "Megatron informed me to take a proper look over, and I had to wait until you got up from your beauty sleep!" He picked her up and turned to leave the room. "I can't believe we had to wait over an hour!"
"Sorry...I...I didn't know." Saphira looked at him with a smile before she felt the world spinning again. "Arh! Vertigo again..."
"What?" Knockout frowned at her in confusion before he saw her holding her head. "Oh...right...I'll give you the medicine for it. And I'll be checking the head injury and see how it is healing."
Saphira didn't respond, she covered her eyes with her hands, waiting for the feeling of vertigo to go away. It didn't until Knockout entered the med bay and placed her on the med berth. She felt very relieved when she was not feeling it anymore. She waited for Knockout to give her the cup with the medicine in it and drank it again, grimacing once again at the flavor and washed it down with water.
She relaxed as best as she could as Knockout began to scan her body. She doubted he would find anything unusual, so she was not too worried about that. She did not know that Megatron informed Knockout that Saphira was recovering from a past injury, only for the commander to be told that Knockout was aware as his scans had picked up signs of a surgery that had been done sometime ago. Megatron did not realize that Saphira had needed surgery, though he remembered when he was in Bee's mind and he had overheard some conversations. It seemed that Saphira was in the middle of recovering when Optimus fell ill with the cybonic plague, though she probably was worse earlier.
"Alright...everything appears to be good smoothly...sort of," Knockout said as he finished scanning her body and looked at her. "Lay down on your back for me." She nodded and laid flat on the berth. "Breakdown, hold her for me so she doesn't flinch so much."
"As you wish," Breakdown responded with a smirk. "I don't know about you, Knockout, but it was strange when Megatron was asking those questions earlier."
Saphira raised an eyebrow as Breakdown placed his hand over her body and spoke to his sparkmate as Knockout got out some tools and his hands transform suddenly, she saw they were smaller hands, just as how Ratchet had modified his hands. She was surprised that Knockout had even considered doing that.
"I know." Knockout placed a vial by Saphira and leaned down. "Roll your head away from me slightly. Try not to move when I treat your wound. You don't want me to accidentally make it worse." Saphira did as she was told and closed her eyes as she felt him prod at the pad on her head to remove it slowly and gently. "I don't Megatron has ever asked anyone about what it feels like when you have found someone that you could see yourself being a sparkmate to."
"I don't Megatron has ever fallen in love if I am honest," Breakdown said with a shrug, watching what his sparkmake was doing. "So I doubt he would even know what that feels like."
"You don't think he likes Airachnid, do you?" Knockout sounded disgusted at the very thought. "Of all people, he had to pick her." Saphira winced as she felt the tape pulling at her hair slightly as he removed the pad. "Hmmph..." She opened her eyes and glanced at Knockout slightly. "The wound hasn't healed well. It appears to be infected..." He frowned at her. "Please tell me you have been eating well enough."
"Yeah..." She responded quickly. "But...the food I have isn't the best or freshest...it's non-perishable food, and doesn't have the best kind of nutrition...except for maybe the baked beans..."
"There was fish in there," Breakdown said with narrowed optics. "You could have grabbed a few tins."
"I don't even like fish!" Saphira snapped, frowning at him. "If I had, I would have certainly picked them out. It isn't like you can keep doing shopping trips, Breakdown. And I don't have any money to go and buy food."
Knockout sighed, shaking his head. "I'll have to give you your equivalent to antibiotics to combat the infection." He looked at the wound again. "Roll your head again. I need to clean it before redressing it." Saphira did as she was told, clenching her eyes shut again as she felt him touching the wound gently. He grabbed something and she hissed as she felt him dab her wound with something that caused it to sting. "Stay still!"
Breakdown tightened his grip on her to keep her from moving too much. The con watched his sparkmate clean the wound before he kept talking to him. "I do not think it's Airachnid Megatron likes. To be honest, I always thought there might have been something between him and Starscream, but I think they kept us all fooled with that."
"If it isn't Airachnid, it isn't Starscream...the fact he's asking now suggests these feelings have come about recently," Knockout said thoughtfully, eliminating the potential cons that Megatron could have fallen for. "I am not even sure, if I am honest."
"It is very strange, though perhaps these feelings have developed overtime for a long time, and he's never really taken notice. Megatron has always focused on this war, so putting those feelings aside probably was normal for him." Breakdown felt Saphira flinching slightly as Knockout continued to clean the wound, he was almost finished so he could apply ointment to it as well. "I wonder if he's become interested in finding someone because he's seen us."
"It is possible. Though..." Knockout paused as he thought about it. "I am not sure who he would go after. Soundwave is the only other possible candidate, he has stood by Megatron for centuries, longer than any of use."
"That is true...being silent, Soundwave could be the perfect partner in a way." Breakdown smirked slightly and leaned in and whispered something to Knockout, making him giggle. Saphira tensed a little, worried they would get too distracted. "I think we both deserve a nice, high grade of energon, don't you agree, speed racer."
Knockout giggled, moving his hands away from Saphira for a moment and she opened her eyes to see the two cons kissing. She blushed, feeling a little embarrassed and remembering how she and Optimus would kiss. "The sounds like a plan...a nice date on the top deck watching the sunset?"
"Indeed." Breakdown purred, kissing Knockout again before Saphira coughed, getting their attention. They both saw Saphira's face was red and she looked embarrassed. Breakdown chuckled at her. "Don't mind us, fleshling. We just adore each other."
"A little too much." Knockout grabbed a vial and poured some drops onto what looked like a large cotton bud and leaned down again. "This may sting you again, Saphira. Keep her as still as possible Breakdown."
"Already doing it, speed racer. Say, you don't think that Megatron fancies the girl, do you?" Saphira and Knockout looked at Breakdown in surprise at his question. "He's asked these questions now that he has this human here. And Optimus seems to like her..."
"That would be preposterous!" Knockout exclaimed with a chuckle. "Just because Prime fell in love with a lowly human, does not mean our master will." He rolled his optics and smirked at Saphira, she was listening with worry. "Although, I have to admit...she's kind of cute for a human."
She looked up at Knockout in surprise. "Umm...I thought you didn't like me."
"I don't, just because you're cute, doesn't mean I like you," Knockout retorts quickly and shakes his head. "Roll your head away, I need to apply the ointment."
She did as she was told while Breakdown chuckled at Knockout. "I have to agree with you. I have wondered why Bulkhead and the others have a human pet. And I've had a look through their internet, and I can see why. Though Bulkhead doesn't seem encourage his human pet to dress up and look pretty."
"That is true." Saphira grimaces as she felt the cotton bud being dabbed on her wound as Knockout responded. "I like this human a little more since she's actually doing a good job of behaving. She isn't being stupid like she was when we first met her." She smiled a little as she listened to them talk. "I suppose when they're like this, they are tolerable."
Saphira pondered their little conversation and decided to join in. "Question, Breakdown. What kind of outfits did you see that you thought would be great to put on a human? Just curious."
Breakdown looked at her in surprise and frowned for a second before smirking. "Why do you ask? I don't think Megatron would appreciate us treating you like a doll."
"If Megatron trusts me with the both of you, I doubt he will know or care," Saphira argued with a shrug. "You both are kind of nice, even though we got off to a bad start. We could start again, and forget that ever happened."
The two cons look at each other and Knockout grabbed a fresh pad to place on the wound and carefully tapped it down. "I suppose we could try...that is, if you can somehow get onto our good side," Knockout said with a smirk. "I'd like to see you try."
"I think that's a challenge I can accept," Saphira said with a smile. "And since you seem to enjoy the need for speed, I think there is something you and I could find a common ground on." The medic raised an eyebrow as he finished tending to her wound. "I also think I can find a common ground with you too, Breakdown. I have a bit more of an idea about the two of you now."
Knockout straightened up and processed her words before turning to fill a syringe with the antibiotics. "I didn't think you would like racing. And Megatron never lets me street race, especially since we no longer have Starscream in the chair as I can no longer slip away."
"I wasn't talking like real racing, I was talking about something else," Saphira responded with a smirk. "And I think you will learn to know the saying very quickly. Ride or die."
Knockout glanced at her and rolled his optics, slightly amused by her, even though he had absolutely no idea what she was talking about. Nor did Breakdown. But they were about to, Saphira had decided that at least having a couple cons that were friendly to her was better than unfriendly cons.
One Hour Later...
Megatron walked towards the med bay, feeling frustrated once again. Only this time, Knockout has not reported to him how Saphira was. He was annoyed that the medic had ignored his instruction, but also slightly worried that there were invisible injuries he was not aware of, and Knockout was treating her for it. He hoped that it was not the case at all. As he walked through the med bay doors, he was in for a real surprise. He widened his optics and saw Knockout and Breakdown sitting on the med berth with Saphira sitting on Knockout's knee, they were all looking at a screen with great interest.
Megatron frowned and looked at the monitor, widening his optics when he saw what appeared to be a human movie. It was at a scene where the humans were mocking a young man about how he drove his Supra. He narrowed his optics slightly, annoyed that Breakdown and Knockout had been pulled into watching a human movie, though he watched with slight interest.
"Ask any racer, any real racer," The male, human actor said, Megatron glanced at Knockout when he snorted a laugh. "It don't matter if you win by an inch or a mile. Winning's winning!"
"That is so right, Toretto!" Knockout exclaimed, pumping his fists excitedly. He gasped when he noticed Megatron suddenly. "Oh, Lord Megatron!" Saphira looked up in surprise and Breakdown followed the gaze. "You should see this movie Saphira introduced to us! It is amazing!"
"Oh? And what is it about?" Megatron asked coldly. "Is it really more important than obeying your master's command?!"
"Uhhh...no...it isn't more important. I apologize, master." Knockout lifts Saphira off his knee with his hand and stood up. "Saphira's concussion has improved a little bit, Lord Megatron. However, the wound to her head has gotten infected. I have treated it with the equivalent to their antibiotics and an antibacterial lotion. It appears she does not have the correct food to help her recover...or she isn't eating enough."
Megatron looked at Saphira and frowned at her. "Is what he says true? I thought the food Breakdown and Soundwave retrieved was enough."
Saphira sighed deeply. "I picked out the food that won't perish very quickly, Megatron. The food they gathered wasn't the freshest or best food, but it's enough to keep me alive. If I had access to fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, things might be different. I didn't think it would impact the healing process of my body, but it seems to be that way."
The commander narrowed his optics thoughtfully for a moment before relaxing slightly. "Very well. We will think of a way for you to get the proper food you need to recover. In the meantime, you and I have somewhere to be."
"Again?" Saphira asked suddenly, flinching with Megatron frowned at her as Knockout walked towards him. "Sorry...I'm not used to...being careful with what I say."
Megatron held out his hand and Knockout placed Saphira into his palm. "No matter." He looked at Knockout and Breakdown with a stern expression. "Stop watching that movie, and continue your study of the white energon. We must know if we can use it." He turned and walked out of the med bay and Saphira was surprised to see Soundwave standing outside. "Bridge us to the location, Soundwave. Saphira and I will be out for a few hours. I will contact you when we are ready for pick up."
Soundwave nodded and a ground bridge vortex opened on the left. Saphira looked at in curiously, wondering where Megatron was taking her. She wanted to ask him, but it seemed he had no intention of letting her know until they get there. She guessed it might be another exploration duty he wanted her to participate in. However, as Megatron stepped through the vortex and he reached the other side, Saphira widened her eyes in shock. What she saw was the last thing on her mind on where they were, a place she did not think that Megatron would even care to come to. Out of reach of both humans and autobots, alone with the decepticon leader.