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Shadows of Tomorrow	By : Breech_Loader Category: Transformers > Transformers: Animated > Het - M/F Views: 1756 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 5
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- 7
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Shadows of Tomorrow

Co-Written by Harley Quinn hyenaholic and Froggy22651

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Harley: this chapter involves some more getting close of Barricade and Hotwire. I maintain that even though this is happening a bit fast, difficult circumstances can speed up a relationship.

Froggy: Harley’s got ideas for a sequel.

~~~

Chapter Six: Voice Inside Your Head

It was past midnight now, and Hotwire and Barricade had finally stopped driving, coming to rest in a deserted parking lot. Hotwire slumped a little, even in bike form, "Primus, that was close," she sighed. But nobody - no humans, no Autobots - was chasing them anymore. Well, not right now. Maybe living on the run wasn't such a grand idea after all.

Barricade shared that sentiment, "I hate this planet,” he growled, unfolding into his normal form, taking a seat on the cracked surface beneath him.

"Here, I'm sure you sustained damage when you were fighting that SUV Autobozo," Hotwire said, "And the meatbags sprayed you with nitrogen too, it might have done some damage. Let me check you out."

Barricade flinched away from Hotwire, still aggravated and moody because of their frantic escape, "I'm fine,” he insisted, his voice icy. Decepticons weren’t much good at learning to trust.

"I'm a medic, Barricade," Hotwire's tone became nagging, "Well, mostly. And I’m definitely neutral. And damage has to be looked at. Not all of it heals on its own. Besides, if you got hurt, you got hurt protecting me." Her tone became concerned again.

Barricade watched her quietly before finally relaxing, "Very well,” he relented, letting her look at his wounds. He supposed that it wouldn't be smart of him to let injuries go, even if they were minor. Another thought occurred to him; if it helped Hotwire cope with their situation, he might as well let her examine him anyway.

Hotwire started to check. Most of Barricade's injuries seemed to be dents that would heal fine on their own, but the nitrogen spray had damaged some of his circuitry under the armour on his right arm and back. She would have to remove some of it to repair it properly, and she said so.

Barricade grumbled to himself. Hotwire didn't need to tell him that it was going to hurt. He had sustained enough battlefield injuries before to know that, but he also knew the importance of fixing those injuries, "Do what you must,” he told her.

The removal of armour wasn't a painful thing as long as it wasn't being ripped off, but some Cybertronians found it embarrassing. Hotwire was removing Barricade's armour carefully and putting it aside, then some of her tools slid out and she started to repair the damaged circuits, "This could have gotten nasty if you didn't have me to fix it," she commented, standing behind him as she worked, "Some of this circuitry is really important."

Barricade hissed quietly as her tools worked over his damaged circuits. It stung, but not as badly as he expected. Hotwire was very good at what she did. It occurred to him that he was very lucky to have her around... and not just because she was talented at patching him up. He meant what he had said earlier. He did value her company, "Thank you,” he said.

Hotwire smiled, even though Barricade couldn't see it. She finished on his back and replaced that armour, then moved to his right arm, "It's good to be appreciated," she said, "Ratchet was always getting at me because I was trying to conserve supplies. Here, supplies aren't such an issue."

"We do what we must,” Barricade spoke simply, holding out his arm and flexing his metal fingers, "But I wasn't just thanking you for your work. You stayed with me, even when you stood a better chance of surviving with the Autobots."

"Oh, that," Hotwire looked a little surprised as she replaced the armour on Barricade's arm, and her power tools retracted, "Well... obviously. Did you hear Ratchet telling me the Autobots would accept me if I changed for the better? What a jerk! Everybody's always telling me I'm not good enough, even after I just saved somebody's life... but you don't..."

Barricade tested and flexed his arm. It still ached from the liquid nitrogen, but it functioned well, "I see no reason why you would have to change,” he commented, "You should not have to conform into a group to fit to their ideals. The group should accept you for who are or reject you outright for the same. No in-between." He paused briefly before adding, "In any case, I wouldn't want you to change." It was one of his rare compliments, and it embarrassed him once it was said. He inwardly berated himself for getting soft.

Hotwire felt her Spark heating up a little. Why was she being so... so much of a sparkling about all this? Barricade wasn't especially stunning for a Decepticon, and she knew for a fact that she had quite a few less curves than most femme-models. All the same, she said, "Well, it's nice of you to say that, but I find it difficult to believe. You're probably just trying to flatter me into becoming a full-time Decepticon."

To Barricade's own surprise, he found that wasn't his motive at all. This was entirely personal. Furthermore... "It's probably better that you don't. Megatron or Starscream wouldn't understand someone like you, and they destroy what they don't understand." It was bizarre for him to say something like that. In fact in Megatron’s optics it was downright treasonous, but a part of Barricade wanted to keep her safe from the rougher, merciless side of his leaders.

Hotwire didn't doubt Barricade's words. Though she'd never met Starscream or Megatron personally, she'd seen the effect they had on the world. All the same... "What am I supposed to do then?" she asked him, "I'm obviously not good enough for the Auto-jerks as I am. See, this is why I've been neutral for so long."

In a way, Barricade hadn't seen it before, but now he did all too clearly. The Autobots could never accept her, and the Decepticons would destroy her for being impartial, "You must avoid both sides,” he answered, and the disappointment was clear in his mechanical voice.

Hotwire looked upset briefly, but shook it off. She didn't care, she'd dealt with rejection before. But for once she'd thought she'd found a place... "Well... there's no point in me being here then," she said, "The Autobots are looking for me, not you. There's no point in me putting you in danger," she straightened up, "I'll go now, if you think it's best." She started walking towards the exit of the parking lot.

Barricade watched her go for several moments before something made him put his hand up and shout, "Wait!" The Decepticon got to his feet and struggled to find the words he wanted, but it was like his circuits were misfiring, "I may be a Decepticon, but I accept you, Hotwire,” he spoke, "...I don't want you to leave."

"But..." Hotwire squirmed, confused, "But you said if I stayed, your leaders would destroy me. I don't really want to die... I guess I mean... why do you want me to stay?"

"Because I like you, Hotwire,” Barricade blurted out, "You're the first person in a long time that I've met that doesn't try to destroy me, or who barely tolerates my presence," the robot smirked, "Besides, my leaders aren't here right now, are they?"

"Well... no, they're not," Hotwire could feel her Spark heating up again, "But I'm still putting you in danger from the Autobots. And the humans too. I... I guess I could stop caring about that and just use you as some sort of bodyguard, but I don't want to."

She didn't want to use him, she had chosen him over the Autobots, and she was willing to leave for his protection. It made his own Spark heat up some, "Hotwire, I'm in danger from the Autobots and humans anyway,” he explained to her, "They see me as their enemy, and rightfully so. You staying will not change that; we'll just be in danger together."

Together. It was so long since Hotwire had been able to use that word. Even when she was around others she had always worked alone. She'd come here alone. She'd never stayed with patients, because they rarely wanted her to. She was used to people not wanting a neutral around - who knew which way she'd swing in the end? But... Barricade wanted her to stay. She stopped walking and turned back to face him, "You mean that?" she asked him, feeling stupid for asking.

Barricade chuckled softly, "Oh, I'm very skilled at lying, but I assure you I'm not lying about this,” he told her, leaving it to her to decide if he was being truthful or not, "Stay with me. Please."

Hotwire rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly. If Barricade just wanted her around for repairs, he wouldn't have warned her about Starscream and Megatron, even though she wasn't being told anything she hadn't guessed. If he wanted rid of her he could just let her walk - and then drive - away. It wasn't as if she was going to head straight for the Auto-gits. And all Decepticons were lying, treacherous bastards, it was practically a job requirement. All her logic circuits were confused now, "I want to stay," she admitted finally, "I haven't spent this long around one person... for such a long time." One person wasn't quite accurate; Frenzy was still recharging in one of Barricade's compartments right now. But he wasn't the reason she was staying.

"Then stay,” Barricade replied, walking towards the smaller female, "Nothing is standing in the way." He smirked, "And I wouldn't be foolish enough to lie to a medic."

Hotwire felt her Spark heat up a little more, and suddenly to Barricade's immense surprise, stepped forward and embraced him. One arm looped around his back, while the other was crossed over her chassis, a barrier between them.

Barricade's shock could be felt in the air around them, his optical sensors flickering on and off briefly. His arms were held stiffly off to his sides. Finally, awkwardly, he wrapped them around her smaller form. Physical affection was not something he had much of, ever, and it was difficult for him to know how to react to it, but he couldn't deny that it was a welcome change.

Hotwire pulled away after an uncertain length of time. She could tell she had surprised Barricade with that action, but she was used to doing what she felt like. She just hadn't stopped to think about how he might feel, "I guess you're right, I'm really not suited to be a Decepticon," she said finally.

"Perhaps, perhaps not, but you are suited to be... my friend,” he told her quietly, the word sounding alien to him. He still felt flustered, uncertain from the embrace, but he wasn't about to let it show.

"I'd like that," Hotwire said. But now it was long past midnight, and while Cybertronians could go for much longer than humans without rest, it was a while since she had last had a decent recharge, and she was feeling somewhat spent.

Maybe Barricade could see it in her posture or feel it when they touched, but soon he was wrapping his arms around her again, this time doing it all on his own. Slowly, he guided her towards one end of the abandoned parking lot, a place not illuminated by the dim, flickering lights that still lingered on in the lot.

Hotwire's Spark flared up again, and she was almost cuddling into Barricade's embrace, but that her arm was still crossed over her chassis between them. It occurred to her that if this was Cybertron, they could just recharge like this. But this was a hostile alien planet, and she'd have to transform into her BMW mode and recharge like that. Still, she held Barricade for just a few seconds longer.

Barricade could feel that wall, that little bit of protection Hotwire still kept up. She wanted to be close, but a part of her was still cautious. He could understand that all too well. After a moment, his hand slid up her back to stroke the back of her neck affectionately. Then he reluctantly pulled away, transforming into vehicular form. He understood, just as she did, that their normal forms would grab much unwanted attention. The police cruiser drove into a ditch close to the lot, looking for all the world like a cop laying in wait for speeders to rush into his trap.

Hotwire transformed to motorcycle form. Anybody passing would assume she was just another vehicle left there for the night. The feeling of him touching one of her unarmoured spots lingered even now though. Hotwire gave a brief mechanical sigh, before slipping into recharge.

Barricade was still, resting in the ditch, but unlike Hotwire, he wasn't fully recharging, his systems only half dedicated to that. His mind was too occupied to do a complete reboot, and he was too concerned with standing guard. Most of all, his thoughts and senses kept drifting towards Hotwire. They didn't want to leave her, and he just wanted to be closer. Fear was not something he admitted to easily, but everyone feared what they did not understand, and he did not understand his own actions. It kept coming to him as he admired the female robot; What am I doing?

~~~

It was early morning when Barricade was broken out of semi-recharge by Frenzy, who was now fully recovered and ready to cause havoc. He was chattering inside Barricade. The Mustang couldn't see him, but that made him all the more frustrating, "Frenzy knew you liked her," Frenzy stated, smirking.

Barricade grumbled as his systems came fully online, drawing power from his batteries. He was still groggy, and it was a disconcerting feeling to have a small creature crawling around in his insides, "What do you want?" he asked irritably.

"Don't want anything," Frenzy grinned, "Frenzy was online last night, your circuits were going crazy about her." he grinned, "Barricade's going against his superiors! Barricade never did that before! Not for anybody!"

"I'm not going against my superiors, Frenzy,” the Decpticon scout growled, insulted by the idea, "I've always been loyal, and you know it."

"Frenzy heard you practically begging Hotwire to stay," Frenzy smirked, and imitated Barricade's voice, "Please stay," he continued, "You never say please. You never said it before, anyway."

"Yes, and that was a mistake, because tying her to the lamp-post would have worked so much better,” Barricade snapped sarcastically, "What is it to you?" He and Frenzy made a good team, but sometimes he had to question the small robot's odd, obnoxious habits.

"You're acting differently," Frenzy replied, and then unexpectedly added, "Frenzy thinks she might be good for you. You're less angry all the time."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Barricade growled, "I am not angry all the time. I am the embodiment of calm!" Somehow, he completely missed the irony of shouting that to his partner.

"It means you'll get mad at Frenzy less often," Frenzy sniggered, "I guess I was wrong though..."

"Humph,” the larger robot uttered. He wasn't going to apologise. He had nothing to apologise for, "Yes, I like Hotwire,” he spoke sharply, "Yes, I do not intend on letting our leader turn her to slag, but that does not mean I am disloyal to the cause. I am still a Decepticon."

"Frenzy never said anything about loyalty," the smaller robot replied, "But if Megatron or Starscream wanted to turn her to slag, you know what would happen to anybody who tried to stop them."

Those words silenced Barricade. Horrible questions emerged within his CPU, questions he didn't want to ask himself. Megatron had been destroyed, but past experience gave the knowledge that this was not necessarily a permanent thing. And Starscream was just as brutal and power-hungry, with a spiteful streak thrown in for good measure. Both punished disobedience without mercy or forgiveness. It had always seemed like a good leadership method before.

What would he do if Starscream decided to kill Hotwire? Or worse; what if he was ordered to be her executioner, just to test him? That was just the sort of thing Starscream would think up. Would he stand aside and let it happen? Would he step forward and deal the final blow as ordered? ...Would he defend Hotwire? "Shut up,” he snapped at Frenzy.

Frenzy grinned some more, "Just giving you something to think about before you start merging Sparks with her," he answered. He too was loyal to his superiors, but without them around it sure was fun to bug Barricade.

"I am not going to...!" Barricade started, but he swiftly silenced himself. He didn't want to give in to Frenzy; it would just encourage him further. The little hacker was right about one thing, though; he had given Barricade a lot to think about. Too much to think about. He didn't like it. Things were simpler when all he had to worry about was following orders, avoiding detection and causing his enemies pain. Moral dilemmas didn't fit him. He did his best to silence those thoughts, to stay focused, and maybe to just enjoy the time he had to spend with Hotwire, as crazy as that sounded on an alien world, surrounded by the enemy. Eventually, though... eventually... he would have to face that dilemma again.

~~~

Harley: Next chapter involves the robot sex. It’s generally Plug’n’Play, with that fine line of touching that makes it interesting for us too. Otherwise you might as well get aroused by plugging a USB cable into a computer.
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Shadows of Tomorrow