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Description
Swindle never expected First Aid to go away after suffering a somewhat nervous breakdown right in front of the medic, which, now that his cpu was clearing, made it all the more embarrassing. First Aid was now seated on the floor of the cell to give him space, facing the Combaticon who sat on the berth, one of the energon cubes he had brought cupped lightly in his hand. His face mask had been removed, and every so often, Swindle noticed that the medic's icy blue optics would settle on him before going back to the contents of his cube. Swindle wanted to lay down on his side, at least that way First Aid wouldn't have a clear view of his face. But he needed to drink the energy the medic brought for him. His systems felt like they were starving.

That was also embarrassing. He usually had more stamina than he did over the few past days. His team was trained to go for long periods without refueling, and he knew there was no reason he should be feeling so tired.

Swindle flexed the digits of his hands, his previous trembling having finally ceased and allowing him to reach for the cube that had been sitting patiently on the small table next to the berth. When he lifted the cube to his mouth, the flow of the energon washing down his throat sent a jolt through his systems, helping to take away a little of the fatigue.

First Aid was watching him, but Swindle noticed the medic didn't look worried, searching, fascinated, curious, anxious, expecting, or any thing of the like. He was just watching, the blue gaze roaming calmly over the dark face until finally settling on Swindle's optics again where they remained fixed.

"Why are you so interested in my optics?" Swindle asked, his voice hoarse, but a small amusement still noticeably present.

First Aid shifted a little, sitting straighter and stretching his back, smiling. "I apologize for staring so much. I suppose I've just never seen their color in any other mech's."

"Well if you meet Blast Off, that'll make two mechs you know with them." Swindle paused, the slightest frown crossing his features. "Though, his are lighter than mine," he muttered.

First Aid let an awkward silence pass between them. He may have been fascinated by the mech's optics, but First Aid also caught the way Swindle stared at his face while his mask was removed and the Combaticon thought he wasn't looking. The silence continued for a few moments before First Aid broke it. "I know you miss them. I do wish I could send you back to them. I have brothers of my own, but..." Silence again as First Aid searched for words, though he wasn't even sure which ones he was looking for. "...just try to hold on a little longer."

Swindle gazed at him. "How long?"

First Aid wished he knew.

Swindle knew he wasn't going to get an answer. Not from First Aid anyway. He would be released whenever the Autobots got tired of feeding him, he supposed.

He stared at First Aid again. He thought it strange that the medic would put himself in such a vulnerable position so easily. First Aid had to really be trusting him right now to be locked with him in the cell. Swindle wasn't even restrained.

"Why are you here?"

First Aid looked up at the question, a little confused. "Here?"

Swindle frowned. "You know what I mean First Aid. I'm a Decepticon, you're an Autobot. We're both from rival teams. Why are you being so nice to me? And don't tell me it's just because I'm your patient."

First Aid's optics darkened as he frowned, and Swindle believed it was the first time he had ever seen the medic being something close to angry. Interesting, he thought. Maybe he had struck a nerve... First Aid spoke. "They all ask me the same question." His was voice low and bitter. "It's because all everyone ever does is fight. No one ever stops to ask how things could be done differently. I like you, Swindle. I think we could be friends if we had a chance."

"You really are a pacifist," Swindle smirked, but then it faltered when First Aid looked back up at him. Swindle was caught off guard, First Aid actually glared at him.

The medic appeared to want to say something, but he hesitated and turned his optics back to the floor. A long, miserable sigh escaped his vents. "Go ahead," he ground out. "Tell me I'm wrong. Say I'm an idiot for thinking like that, for thinking things could ever get better than they are now." He looked up at Swindle again. "I've heard it from everyone on the Autobot end, now how about your side?"

Swindle couldn't believe First Aid actually was getting angry. From what he witnessed so far, he didn't think the Protectobot was capable of it. The smirk returned to his face. "Pacifist or not, you do have some bite in you after all...so why do you let them say that to you?"

The blue optics softened again. "I don't know..."

Swindle found himself amused. The medic was so quick to fall back into his shell. "You want to hear the Decepticon side of things, huh? You don't let people talk like that about you and let them get away with it." First Aid's optics widened and he opened his mouth to protest. Swindle stopped him though. "I'm not saying for you to go and take a laser rifle to their heads, like I know a few of my good old comrades would. I'm saying you shouldn't just let anybody walk all over you with what they think is right and not tell them otherwise. If you don't defend yourself, they're never gonna take you seriously."

Swindle eased off the berth and set down gently in front of the medic, grasping his chin lightly with his thumb and forefinger, looking him straight in the optics. His voice was low, but stern. "You don't feel sorry for yourself. Ever."

First Aid studied him for a moment, holding still from the touch. "How do I defend myself?"

"You just do it," Swindle answered. "Whatever it takes." He smiled, an idea forming in his head. "Should I show you?"

First Aid nodded slowly. Swindle suddenly leaned forward and pressed his mouth against the other's, catching the medic off guard with a rough kiss.

First Aid panicked, and shoved Swindle harshly in the chest with both hands, breaking the kiss apart. "Swindle!" he panted, completely flustered.

That smirk returned to Swindle's face again. "See? It wasn't that hard, was it?"

The medic scooted back, his optics still wide with shock. Swindle settled back, leaning against the berthside and letting the poor Protectobot have some space. "Relax, 'Aid. It was just a demonstration. You passed."

First Aid forced himself to focus once more. Now Swindle was using his nickname. And that tingling feeling on his lip components wasn't going away. "I-I guess you have a point," he muttered. There was an awkward pause. Then, "You don't think I'm weak, do you?"

"I can tell you anything you want to hear, 'Aid. Believe me, I'm an expert at that." Swindle grinned slightly, but his gaze soon hardened on the other again. "That's not a question you should be asking people, especially a Decepticon. If you think you're weak, you find a way to make yourself strong. Otherwise, you're off to the scrapheap."

Swindle cycled air through his vents, letting that info sink in a little. First Aid looked solemnly at the floor. Swindle spoke again, "Just for the record though, no, I don't think you're weak."

First Aid perked up at the statement, his optics shining. "Really?"

"I've seen you put up with Blades," Swindle said. "You cannot be a weakling if you have to live with a helicopter. Trust me, I know."

It appeared Swindle was successful in lifting the mood of the room because First Aid smiled at him. Swindle kindly returned the gesture.

-

Three more days went by. First Aid never slipped on his daily trips to see Swindle, which were nothing more than for him to provide the Combaticon with some company. Even if he couldn't spare the time to enter the cell, the medic at least still made an effort to have a quick friendly conversation while he dropped off Swindle's daily ration.

This innocent activity was enough to bother a few mechs, mostly Blades, who eventually confronted Hot Spot about it. The Protectobot leader always assured that everything was fine, and that he was sure to keep a close watch on what ever happened. What he didn't tell the others though, was that he was having a hard time convincing his own self that all was well.

As much as he supported First Aid doing a good deed, the way his brother could talk to the enemy prisoner with such ease, like he had known him for eons, set Hot Spot a little on edge. He knew he could trust First Aid with his life, but he didn't share the same sentiment for the Decepticon.

What made matters worse were the reports he received that more Decepticons started appearing to be active on Earth again. In particular, the Combaticon group. Nothing major had happened yet, there had just been confirmed sightings by both humans and Autobot patrols. No one had any clue of what they may be up to. No aggressive or suspicious incidents had taken place. Though if Hot Spot knew they were coming for Swindle, which he certainly believed since he would never leave one of his own gestalt mates in enemy hands, he didn't care what First Aid said. He would keep the medic as far from the danger zone as possible.

That was his plan anyway. Standing near the back entrance to the med bay, where First Aid had led Swindle outside not too long ago, Hot Spot went over and over again in his mind of all the different scenarios that could happen should he have to put his plan into motion.

Though his brooding was interrupted when his comm pinged.

-

"Guess who's here to feed you today!"

Swindle rolled on his side facing the wall, trying to ignore the red twin terror. Sideswipe though seemed intent on bothering him. The Autobot continued to stare daggers into Swindle's back until he got a response.

The Combaticon finally snapped at him. "Where's First Aid?"

Sideswipe smirked. "Can't I even come and see how an old friend's doing?"

"It's nice to know you care," Swindle muttered. He finally turned over again.

Sideswipe smiled at him. Swindle could feel the Autobot studying him closely. He noticed Sideswipe cock his head slightly as the twin spoke. "So, what's wrong?"

"Do you really have to ask?" Swindle snapped again. "I think you should be able to tell by now."

"What?" Sideswipe smiled innocently. "You're trapped deep in enemy territory, crippled, unarmed, and stuck in a bad mood?"

Swindle didn't answer him, choosing instead to ignore him in favor of staring at the floor. He remained quiet for a moment. "I don't like being locked up, Swipe."

"No one does," Sideswipe said quietly. "I've heard First Aid's been talking to you a lot lately."

"And?"

"At least there's someone to distract you." Sideswipe narrowed his optics. "He's a good mech, Swindle. In my opinion, he would be a lot better off not knowing people like us. He only wants to do what's right. Just keep him out of the business."

"Of what value could he be to me anyways, Swipe? Besides making sure no one slags me in my sleep here? And helping me keep my sanity…" Swindle waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, nothing's gonna happen to him."

"I hope so," Sideswipe muttered. "For your sake. Just don't do anything stupid."

The red Autobot set Swindle's ration down and left quietly.

Description
Swindle never expected First Aid to go away after suffering a somewhat nervous breakdown right in front of the medic, which, now that his cpu was clearing, made it all the more embarrassing. First Aid was now seated on the floor of the cell to give him space, facing the Combaticon who sat on the berth, one of the energon cubes he had brought cupped lightly in his hand. His face mask had been removed, and every so often, Swindle noticed that the medic's icy blue optics would settle on him before going back to the contents of his cube. Swindle wanted to lay down on his side, at least that way First Aid wouldn't have a clear view of his face. But he needed to drink the energy the medic brought for him. His systems felt like they were starving.

That was also embarrassing. He usually had more stamina than he did over the few past days. His team was trained to go for long periods without refueling, and he knew there was no reason he should be feeling so tired.

Swindle flexed the digits of his hands, his previous trembling having finally ceased and allowing him to reach for the cube that had been sitting patiently on the small table next to the berth. When he lifted the cube to his mouth, the flow of the energon washing down his throat sent a jolt through his systems, helping to take away a little of the fatigue.

First Aid was watching him, but Swindle noticed the medic didn't look worried, searching, fascinated, curious, anxious, expecting, or any thing of the like. He was just watching, the blue gaze roaming calmly over the dark face until finally settling on Swindle's optics again where they remained fixed.

"Why are you so interested in my optics?" Swindle asked, his voice hoarse, but a small amusement still noticeably present.

First Aid shifted a little, sitting straighter and stretching his back, smiling. "I apologize for staring so much. I suppose I've just never seen their color in any other mech's."

"Well if you meet Blast Off, that'll make two mechs you know with them." Swindle paused, the slightest frown crossing his features. "Though, his are lighter than mine," he muttered.

First Aid let an awkward silence pass between them. He may have been fascinated by the mech's optics, but First Aid also caught the way Swindle stared at his face while his mask was removed and the Combaticon thought he wasn't looking. The silence continued for a few moments before First Aid broke it. "I know you miss them. I do wish I could send you back to them. I have brothers of my own, but..." Silence again as First Aid searched for words, though he wasn't even sure which ones he was looking for. "...just try to hold on a little longer."

Swindle gazed at him. "How long?"

First Aid wished he knew.

Swindle knew he wasn't going to get an answer. Not from First Aid anyway. He would be released whenever the Autobots got tired of feeding him, he supposed.

He stared at First Aid again. He thought it strange that the medic would put himself in such a vulnerable position so easily. First Aid had to really be trusting him right now to be locked with him in the cell. Swindle wasn't even restrained.

"Why are you here?"

First Aid looked up at the question, a little confused. "Here?"

Swindle frowned. "You know what I mean First Aid. I'm a Decepticon, you're an Autobot. We're both from rival teams. Why are you being so nice to me? And don't tell me it's just because I'm your patient."

First Aid's optics darkened as he frowned, and Swindle believed it was the first time he had ever seen the medic being something close to angry. Interesting, he thought. Maybe he had struck a nerve... First Aid spoke. "They all ask me the same question." His was voice low and bitter. "It's because all everyone ever does is fight. No one ever stops to ask how things could be done differently. I like you, Swindle. I think we could be friends if we had a chance."

"You really are a pacifist," Swindle smirked, but then it faltered when First Aid looked back up at him. Swindle was caught off guard, First Aid actually glared at him.

The medic appeared to want to say something, but he hesitated and turned his optics back to the floor. A long, miserable sigh escaped his vents. "Go ahead," he ground out. "Tell me I'm wrong. Say I'm an idiot for thinking like that, for thinking things could ever get better than they are now." He looked up at Swindle again. "I've heard it from everyone on the Autobot end, now how about your side?"

Swindle couldn't believe First Aid actually was getting angry. From what he witnessed so far, he didn't think the Protectobot was capable of it. The smirk returned to his face. "Pacifist or not, you do have some bite in you after all...so why do you let them say that to you?"

The blue optics softened again. "I don't know..."

Swindle found himself amused. The medic was so quick to fall back into his shell. "You want to hear the Decepticon side of things, huh? You don't let people talk like that about you and let them get away with it." First Aid's optics widened and he opened his mouth to protest. Swindle stopped him though. "I'm not saying for you to go and take a laser rifle to their heads, like I know a few of my good old comrades would. I'm saying you shouldn't just let anybody walk all over you with what they think is right and not tell them otherwise. If you don't defend yourself, they're never gonna take you seriously."

Swindle eased off the berth and set down gently in front of the medic, grasping his chin lightly with his thumb and forefinger, looking him straight in the optics. His voice was low, but stern. "You don't feel sorry for yourself. Ever."

First Aid studied him for a moment, holding still from the touch. "How do I defend myself?"

"You just do it," Swindle answered. "Whatever it takes." He smiled, an idea forming in his head. "Should I show you?"

First Aid nodded slowly. Swindle suddenly leaned forward and pressed his mouth against the other's, catching the medic off guard with a rough kiss.

First Aid panicked, and shoved Swindle harshly in the chest with both hands, breaking the kiss apart. "Swindle!" he panted, completely flustered.

That smirk returned to Swindle's face again. "See? It wasn't that hard, was it?"

The medic scooted back, his optics still wide with shock. Swindle settled back, leaning against the berthside and letting the poor Protectobot have some space. "Relax, 'Aid. It was just a demonstration. You passed."

First Aid forced himself to focus once more. Now Swindle was using his nickname. And that tingling feeling on his lip components wasn't going away. "I-I guess you have a point," he muttered. There was an awkward pause. Then, "You don't think I'm weak, do you?"

"I can tell you anything you want to hear, 'Aid. Believe me, I'm an expert at that." Swindle grinned slightly, but his gaze soon hardened on the other again. "That's not a question you should be asking people, especially a Decepticon. If you think you're weak, you find a way to make yourself strong. Otherwise, you're off to the scrapheap."

Swindle cycled air through his vents, letting that info sink in a little. First Aid looked solemnly at the floor. Swindle spoke again, "Just for the record though, no, I don't think you're weak."

First Aid perked up at the statement, his optics shining. "Really?"

"I've seen you put up with Blades," Swindle said. "You cannot be a weakling if you have to live with a helicopter. Trust me, I know."

It appeared Swindle was successful in lifting the mood of the room because First Aid smiled at him. Swindle kindly returned the gesture.

-

Three more days went by. First Aid never slipped on his daily trips to see Swindle, which were nothing more than for him to provide the Combaticon with some company. Even if he couldn't spare the time to enter the cell, the medic at least still made an effort to have a quick friendly conversation while he dropped off Swindle's daily ration.

This innocent activity was enough to bother a few mechs, mostly Blades, who eventually confronted Hot Spot about it. The Protectobot leader always assured that everything was fine, and that he was sure to keep a close watch on what ever happened. What he didn't tell the others though, was that he was having a hard time convincing his own self that all was well.

As much as he supported First Aid doing a good deed, the way his brother could talk to the enemy prisoner with such ease, like he had known him for eons, set Hot Spot a little on edge. He knew he could trust First Aid with his life, but he didn't share the same sentiment for the Decepticon.

What made matters worse were the reports he received that more Decepticons started appearing to be active on Earth again. In particular, the Combaticon group. Nothing major had happened yet, there had just been confirmed sightings by both humans and Autobot patrols. No one had any clue of what they may be up to. No aggressive or suspicious incidents had taken place. Though if Hot Spot knew they were coming for Swindle, which he certainly believed since he would never leave one of his own gestalt mates in enemy hands, he didn't care what First Aid said. He would keep the medic as far from the danger zone as possible.

That was his plan anyway. Standing near the back entrance to the med bay, where First Aid had led Swindle outside not too long ago, Hot Spot went over and over again in his mind of all the different scenarios that could happen should he have to put his plan into motion.

Though his brooding was interrupted when his comm pinged.

-

"Guess who's here to feed you today!"

Swindle rolled on his side facing the wall, trying to ignore the red twin terror. Sideswipe though seemed intent on bothering him. The Autobot continued to stare daggers into Swindle's back until he got a response.

The Combaticon finally snapped at him. "Where's First Aid?"

Sideswipe smirked. "Can't I even come and see how an old friend's doing?"

"It's nice to know you care," Swindle muttered. He finally turned over again.

Sideswipe smiled at him. Swindle could feel the Autobot studying him closely. He noticed Sideswipe cock his head slightly as the twin spoke. "So, what's wrong?"

"Do you really have to ask?" Swindle snapped again. "I think you should be able to tell by now."

"What?" Sideswipe smiled innocently. "You're trapped deep in enemy territory, crippled, unarmed, and stuck in a bad mood?"

Swindle didn't answer him, choosing instead to ignore him in favor of staring at the floor. He remained quiet for a moment. "I don't like being locked up, Swipe."

"No one does," Sideswipe said quietly. "I've heard First Aid's been talking to you a lot lately."

"And?"

"At least there's someone to distract you." Sideswipe narrowed his optics. "He's a good mech, Swindle. In my opinion, he would be a lot better off not knowing people like us. He only wants to do what's right. Just keep him out of the business."

"Of what value could he be to me anyways, Swipe? Besides making sure no one slags me in my sleep here? And helping me keep my sanity…" Swindle waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry, nothing's gonna happen to him."

"I hope so," Sideswipe muttered. "For your sake. Just don't do anything stupid."

The red Autobot set Swindle's ration down and left quietly.