The Wolf-Con and the Cadet

Chapter 11

Strongarm was sound asleep when she was awoken by the sound of Steeljaw growling and then... "Strongarm! What are you doing with this 'Con criminal!?"

She jumps up out of Steeljaw's lap and stands up, "Bumblebee, I can explain," she says as she stands between the two hoping she could keep them from harming each other.

"Alright, then explain how you're sitting and nuzzling with a criminal you're supposed to be arresting and taking in!"

"Um..." How could she explain this? It wasn't like she could cover it up, especially since Bumblebee caught her red-handed.

"Well?"

"We love each other and we want to be together!" Steeljaw puts in.

"Out of the question! Come, Strongarm, we'll discuss this back at base! The away team is back, you need to come to greet them, and we'll decide what should be done."

"But," Strongarm struggled to get the words to argue but she couldn't.

"Don't talk back, Strongarm. You're my responsibility, I promised your father I would look after you during your training and I mean to follow that promise." He looks over at Steeljaw, "This is your last meeting, from now on the only time you will see her is on the battlefield when we're fighting you and your posy, and when we lock you back up." He grabs Strongarm's arm, "Let's go!"

Steeljaw growled in anger, "We'll just have to see about that, Lieutenant." He poised himself like he was about to strike.

"Steeljaw, just go! I'll be fine," Strongarm assured as she left with Bumblebee. Steeljaw watched in silence as they left. Once they were out of sight he let out an enraged roar. He transformed and raced back to HQ.

Strongarm could hear Steeljaw let out an enraged roar and felt a piercing feeling in her spark. She looked at Bumblebee and could tell he was very upset, more upset than she had ever seen him.

Bumblebee was conflicted about what was going on. How could a good Academy student such as Strongarm, one who had all her hopes and dreams of becoming a cop, just go and have an affair with a criminal like that? "I'm very disappointed in you, Strongarm. I can't believe you would go and throw away all your hopes and dreams of being a cop for a low-down criminal like Steeljaw."

"I'm not throwing anything away, and Steeljaw's not a criminal. He just made some back choices, you're starting to sound like Ultra Magnus."

"Just made some bad choices? He was locked up for instigating rebellion and messing around with sub-sonics, not to mention the stuff he has done after his release from the pod here on earth. Did you forget when he attacked our base and took Denny and Russell captive? He almost killed them!"

"I was there, Lieutenant! I managed to stop him by myself while you and Grimlock were fighting Scorponok. And who was it that brought Steeljaw into the base? You did."

"That too, but I was talking about the first time he attacked our base and kept us out. He can't be trusted."

"Metalsound was a Decepticon and you trusted her. The second Soundwave got out of that Shadow Zone she attacked you and helped him escape."

"I know that! And I know now not to trust her so easily!"

Strongarm flinched at Bumblebee's shout, she glanced to the ground as she transformed driving onto the main road. Bumblebee transformed and drove after her. They soon reached the base and were greeted by the away team.

Sideswipe, naturally, had to make a remark to Strongarm. "Hey, Strongarm. Missed me? I certainly didn't miss having you around to boss me around."

Strongarm didn't say a word, she just drove to a spot where she could be alone.

"We have a situation team," Bumblebee says looking at the away team and Grimlock.

"What's going on?" Grimlock asked as he looked at Strongarm.

"I just caught Strongarm in the woods with Steeljaw."

"So? Was he beating her down again?" Sideswipe asked in a joking way.

"Sitting and cuddling with him."

"WHAT?!" Sideswipe and Grimlock looked to Strongarm in shock.

"Is this true, Cadet?" Optimus asked the femme as he looked over at her. Strongarm transformed and just looked to the ground not wanting to say anything.

"Have you been having a secret affair with Steeljaw, Strongarm?" Bumblebee asks with a hint of anger in his voice.

"I haven't been telling him about our operations if that's what you're implying."

"Have you been getting romantically involved with him is what I'm asking."

"Yes," she says as she looks back to the ground hoping they wouldn't see her blush.

Bumblebee sighs, "How long has it been going on?"

"We are not judging you, Strongarm. All we want is to make sure that you do not get hurt," Optimus tells her gently.

"Yeah, I mean for all you know he could be tricking you," Sideswipe added.

"Has he done something to you, Strongarm? Is he forcing you in some kind of way?" Windblade asks feeling concerned for her friend.

"No," she felt like she was being pushed into a corner.

"I think it would be best if we discuss this in the morning. We are all tired and stressed," Drift put in.

"Yes, good idea. Windblade, I want you to sleep with Strongarm tonight just to play it safe."

Windblade nods, "Yes, sir."

Strongarm sighed, she knew this was going to happen. Transforming she went back to her spot.

Bumblebee leaned in closer to the team to whisper so Strongarm couldn't hear him. "Steeljaw seemed mighty angry after I told him he couldn't see Strongarm anymore, I have a feeling he might try to sneak in here and take Strongarm so let's keep a watchful optic out for him."

"Alright," Windblade said as she went to join Strongarm.

"The rest of us will take turns on the lookout, we can not let Steeljaw into this scrapyard or anywhere near Strongarm. I'll take the first lookout."

"Yes, sir," they all said before they parted to go their own ways.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Steeljaw was taking his anger out on the trees, his rage hadn't subsided. He was going to kill Bumblebee.

"What did those trees ever do to you?"

He looked around until he saw Metalsound, "Nothing, I'm just so angry!"

"Things didn't go well with Strongarm?" She asked as she slowly made her way to him. He was never that good at controlling his temper.

"It was going great until Bumblebee came along!"

"Ohh, how's Strongarm?"

"I don't know, Bumblebee caught us and said I was to never see Strongarm ever again and then dragged her off!"

"I know that you're upset but try to calm down. You know he's just worried for her safety."

"I know, I just can't stand the thought of never seeing her again."

"You will be able to see her, just let things cool down for her right now. No doubt she's getting the lecture of a lifetime."

"Yeah, you're right," he sighs as he sits down.

Metalsound sat beside him, "Did you have a good time before he showed up?"

"Yes, we talked and got to know each other a bit more, then we cuddled. Felt so nice holding her in my arms."

"I'm sure it did," she replied softly. "Well if you'll excuse me I'm gonna go see Thunderhoof," she said before getting up and leaving.