Twila@M3 - Tuesday, August 31, 1999, 10:21 AM ---------------------------------------------

Command Center <Hunter HQ> Monitors and computer consoles line the walls of this cavernous room. In the center of the room is a round computer with holographic display, its lights flashing busily as it processes information about mavericks, and their last known sitings. Computers along the walls are also occupied with an information processing task. Technicians and other Maverick Hunters run about hastily, monitoring the computers, and making sure the information is as accurate as it can be. The whole air of this room exudes purpose and drive, and the hustle and bustle seems neverending. On the south wall are two large bulletproof windows which gives you a view of the rooftop runway and Hangar Area. A large blast door in in the middle of the two windows, giving easy access to the landing strip.

Blues is gaining information on like satilite tap ins and the like ... not any robo-dog spy enhancements. :)

Rock folds his arms, as he decides not to try and ignore the situation for now and walks over to the report computer, which unfortunately happens to be nearby the computer that Blues is now seated at.

Rock is standing at the report computer, trying to concentrate on it, standing a mere few feet from Blues.

Feedback is sitting in his usual spot. He's leaning back in his chair and has his feet propped up on the console. Right now it looks like he's half asleep as he stares at the ceiling out of boredom. Long distance to Rock and Rick Morgan: Twila Peterson afks for a sec

Blues glances over to Rock, "Anything to report?" He continues to type on his terminal. He glances over to Rhythm and pats his upper leg. Rock pages Twila Peterson and Rick Morgan: Ten bucks Blues doesn't say a word... nevermind.

Rock looks over at Blues, "Apparently nothing that you don't already know or make up in your mind." he quips, nope, Rock is not happy with Blues, not one bit.

Rhythm blinks and looks up. <You're not spying again are you?> he merfs...and then stands, padding over to his master and sitting down. <Oh, hey wussy blue boy,> he barks at Rock.

Blues smirks, "Oh come on, I don't know ~everything~." .oO( Besides kid, I'm trying to strengthen your pride )Oo.

Rock frowns, "Be sure you keep it that way. I'd appreciate it if you took your dog with you next time you go off galavanting, I have enough trouble as it is with the Mavericks and Masters spying on me, I don't need my own brother doing it as well."

Feedback looks over at Rock and Blues argument thats beginning to be common to him. He shrugs and hopes that Rock doesn't figure out that he was also spying on him. Well more of keeping an eye on the guy but he might not see it that way.

Blues shrugs, "Whoh whoh whoh, I didn't ~ask~ Rhythm to keep an eye on you ... he merely felt it was of interest. He auto triggers when he feels I need to see something. ... maybe he thought you were in danger?"

The Grav-lift hisses into place, allowing Rick to step off to the command center, yawning as he finishes off a donut (jelly filled at that). His chewing slows however as he takes note of just who's present.....panning his gaze about the command center.

Rock looks at Blues, "Yeah, and I didn't ask you to throw rude comments in my face either." he says quite simply.

Rhythm looks at Blues. <Well...I never saw a female human slobber on someone before. So sue me...>

Jazz more or less wandersin, off the grav lift, smiling, and carying a half-gallon of coffe Ice Cream.

Blues reaches over and scratches Rhythm behind the ear, looking over to Rock he continues, "Words of wisdom brother, words of wisdom."

Feedback is sitting in his usual spot. He's leaning back in his chair and has his feet propped up on the console. Right now he's watching Blues and Rock argue with Rhythm's occasional barking.

Rick Morgan of course is standing in -front- of the grav-lift with his back to Jazz at the moment. He's busy staring at Rock and Blues. "Uh.....did I walk into the middle of this movie or somethin....?"

Rock pauses for a moment, closing his eyes as he keeps his temper in check, and opens them back up, looking at Blues, "You just have the right answer to everything don't you."

Jazz acks, as she walks into Rick, and draps the container of ice Cream on the floor, but luckly it doesn't open, as she blinks, picks it up, and looks around the room confused.

Rick Morgan scratches the back of his head, feeling just a wee tad uncomfortable with the setting. Of course that's interrupted as Jazz walks into him..and he almost falls over from it. "Oof!"

Blues shrugs his shoulders as he leans back in his chair, placeing his hands crossed behind his head, "Comes with age and experience, I'm sure you'll get there." Another smirk passes over his lips, as he thinks to himself, .oO( okay so he's already there ... but hell if I'm telling him that. )Oo.

Blues swivels his chair to Rick, "If ya wanna catch up, I think Rhythm's got some sensor logs he could upload to the report system."

Rhythm blinks as Jazz enters the room. He whines, <OOOH! She's the one who feeds me those yummy rings! What's she got this time!? What is it?> Rhythm leaps from Blues' side and begins to trot over to Jazz, stopping in front of her and lifting up his front paws. <What's in the tub?>

Jazz blinks as she looks down at Rhythm and smiles, scritching his head as she says, "Heya Puppy! You know what i got for you, Ice cream! And since you like coffee so much, it's coffee Ice Cream..."

Rick Morgan rubs the back of his head and glances back at Jazz for a moment. He sighs and peers back at Blues. "Er....I was referring to....." another glance to Rock...then back again. "Nevermind."

Rock walks up to Blues and tenses his fist, and looks down at him, thrusting his fist quickly at his brother's face, not full strength, but still with a good amount of power, he turns around afterwards and walks away, and says, "Consider us even... brother."

Feedback watches as Rock socks his bro. He winces a bit and waits to see how Blues reacts.

But even for what? The sucker punch at the maverick base? The rude comments about Twila? The world may never know... go ask Mr. Owl.

Rhythm sits up even higher, raising himself higher. <Ooooo,> he barks... <Coffee...I remember coffee. But what's ice cream?> Rhythm barks, <Lemme taste lemme taste!!!!>

Blues's eyes go wide under his visor as he snaps a look at Rhythm and is appalled by her offer of junk food, "Rhythm, what the he...OOCHHFFF..." Blues falls off his chair and lands on the floor his scarf floats down over his face. .oO( DOOD! looks like this is actually starting to work... Owww...)Oo.

Rick Morgan was JUST thinking about what he was going to do today with the new ride armor, when suddenly sibling rivalry soars to a new height here. "Woah!" he exclaims, stepping forward for a moment as the punch is thrown. Not like he expects to do anything about it.

Rock walks past Rick and Jazz, "Excuse me please." he enters the grav lift, and pushes a button as the doors close behind him. Rock enters the Grav Lift

Jazz blinks, and drops the ice cream on the floor,which does open this time, as she notices the punch, and Rock's storming out, as she stands there silent.

Blues pulls himself back to his feet, reajusting his scarf and helmet, he smiles unfortably as he look to the other hunters in the room, "Heh .. He's always been a light weight ...." He looks around at the stareing faces, "What? don't you people have work to do? Sheesh."

<Soon>

Rock's Cot Next to the door to Rock's Quarters is a small cot setup, and if it's during his normal sleeping time, you will find Rock here. As long as Twila is staying in his room, he stays on the cot, it's improper for a young man to sleep in the same room as a young woman unless married. Besides, Rock wouldn't be able to comfortably be in there with her, if only out of pure shyness. Strangly enough, he seems to almost be guarding the door from anyone or anything that would even dare approach the room, apparently, it's contents mean a great deal to him.

Rock's Quarter's <RQ> ================================Rock's Quarters================================

Rock's Quarters is a well done mix of official and casual, the walls are plain white, in the small spots where you can actually -see- the walls. Awards, certificates, pictures, and posters adorn the walls, all in a mesh of Rock the hero and Rock the fun loving guy. In the corner lies his desk, next to it, a small wastepaper basket. His bed is quite large, and lies in the center of the room against the far wall. The headboard serves as a shelf as well, and on them, several pictures and small toys and models. An entertainment center sits opposite the bed, containing a television (or at least the equivalent of which in this day and age) as well as some game systems and a stereo. A bookshelf takes up nearly all of the free wall, showing Rock's secret love of reading, as well as his love for toys and models, which occupy some of the shelves as well. A large window lies above the bed, allowing light to shine down upon it during the day, and giving him a good look at the night sky after hours. A door leading to the bathroom is located next to the bed opposite the desk, which is also where his closet is located. All in all, a fine meshing of Rock's personality, giving off the same cheerful aura that he himself does.

===============================================================================

Twila Peterson is presently sitting on Rock's bed, her back propped with a pillow or two, paging therough the fist few chapters of the classic known as "Black Beauty".

The doors slide open as Rock steps in wearing his casual clothes, he puts on a warm smile for Twila as he waves, "Good evening Twila." as he walks over to his desk, and plops down into it, pushing a buttong as a monitor and keyboard rise out of it.

Twila Peterson looks up from her bookreading, greeting the reploid with a smile on her own. Presently she dressed within a teal colored sweat suit, obviously opting for comfort rather than appearance. "Hello to you to," she beams, happy to see him. She rises up and gives hi a small hug from behind, not paying attention to the computer screen or what Rock is actually working on.

Rock wraps his arms around Twila's as she hugs him and gives her a slight kiss on the cheek, "How has your day been so far?"

Twila Peterson offers a small shrug in response as she replies, "It's been alright. Just been browsing through your book collection is all." She offers another small squeeze, not really saying why she hasn't really done much else or left the room however. Listening to her voice tho, it's possible to discern that she's talking somewhat softer than normal. Twila Peterson adds, "Missed you..."

Rock nods and rests his hands on top of Twila's, "I missed you too." He lets out a slight sigh, "Blues was in the base today..."

Twila Peterson ohs, quirking a brow. "What happened?"

Rock lowers his tone, "Well, I uh..." he lowers his head a bit, "I socked him in the jaw..."

Twila Peterson blinkblinks in reply. "Interesting why of saying hello..."

The door to Rock's room slides open, guess it was unlocked. Of course...standing there is our favorite wise-cracking smart aleck mechanic/technician and robo-jockey all rolled into one. Rick immediately blinks as he notices Twila as well a her proximity to Rock...and takes a bit of a step back. "Er......bad timing?"

Twila Peterson pulls back a little, but not totally, out of Rock's hold. "Hi, Rick." Although, she wonders if people here do sometimes knock first...

Rock blinks and turns as Rick enters, and lifts up one of his hands to wave, "Hiya Rick, sorry you had to see that back there."

Well with those gosh darned pressure plates out front, usually a door is locked and a guy gets a chance to knock in the first place. But when one leaves it unlocked.....it's different. Rick tilts his head towards Rock and arches an eyebrow. "Well I'll say it's not everyday I get to watch somebody take a whallop to the chops in the command center..."

Rock nods, "Well, it had to be done." he says with a slight sigh, "I was tired of shying away from him. It's time he learned that I'm a big boy now."

Rick Morgan hrms. He wouldn't know. He was an only boy himself. "Well I'll say he got the point that time...." he says quickly. "At about 40 miles an hour before impact."

Rock smiles slightly, "Yeah, guess you could say that."

Twila Peterson doesn't know if this is referring to yesterday's incident when Blues made some unnecessary comments to Rock over the broadband channel or...if it's altogther something else. But it seems to matter little. "Something makes me glad I was an only child..." she muses, more to herself than either of the room's occupants.

Rock grins, "Yeah.." he says with a chuckle, "Siblings can be a handful."

Rick Morgan hmmms. "I wouldn't know. I probably would have drove a brother or sister nuts by now." he says with a quick grin. In a masterful display of handling a conversation.....he switches it in a moment's notice. "So how're ya feeling now Rock? When do you go back on duty?"

Rock shrugs, "I'm done with my patrols for the day, although I might go for a graveyard shift tonight to let someone get some time off since I've been in and out of the medbay so often as of late."

Twila Peterson offers, "Just don't stress yourself too much if it can be helped. You were released just yesterday..." Of course...she's not certain if Rock actually had adjusted to his repairs that quickly or not...

Rock nods and gives a gentle squeeze to Twila's hand, "I'll be careful." he says with a smile, "I'm sorry I haven't had much time to spend with you today..."

Rick Morgan has only ever known repairs to his legs before. And even then sometimes it takes a day or two to get used to them again. That coupled with how he views progress that the Ride Armor makes after he repairs them, he has a pretty good idea how it turns out. As the atmosphere begins to turn a bit more......friendly, he takes another step back and sweatdrops. "Uh...I'll just...uh, find somethin to go do then....".

Twila Peterson shakes her head, dismissing the apology. "Don't worry about it. I understand, the girl says...before offering Rick a glance, eyeing him curiously. "You alright?"

Rock turns to Rick and shakes his head, "I'm sorry Rick, didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable..."

Rick Morgan places one hand behind his head and grins. "Hey whatcha talkin bout. It's -your- room, you got a right to make me feel uncomfortable in it if you want...."

Rock frowns, "No I don't, no one has any right to make anyone else feel uncomfortable." Jeez, someone turn down the nice dial on this kid.

Rick Morgan facepalms then. "Whatever you say..." he says, still grinning. "I better go and deal with some stuff anyway. Got a whole bunch of shipments coming in that I gotta meet......y'know, the usual story."

Twila Peterson chooses to not really get into this one. She simply listens, now feeling somewhat awkeard herself right now. (Thank's Rock!) ;) She turns her head to the side and releases a cough or two -- the coughs sounding much the same as they had the night before.

Rock nods, "Okay Rick." he turns his chair around to face Twila, a look of concern in his eyes and tone, "Are you alright?"

Twila Peterson nods to Rick after the small fit has passed. "Nice seeing you again, Rick. Take care of yourself." When she's questioned by Rock of her current status she gazes at him curiously. "I'm fine. Just something caught in the intake again," she states with a casual shrug. "Just been a little tired lately tho if you want to know the truth. Must be the stress."

Rick Morgan glances back for a moment...then shrugs. There's been bugs going around as it is....so he can't offer much. Besides....it's up to Rock to fuss......Rick just handles the part of teasing the two of them. Without another word he heads out, leaving the room empty save for the two of them. Now behave!

Rock takes Twila's hands in his and eyes her still with concern, but doesn't press the matter knowing she said the same thing last night and not wanting to upset her, "Okay... maybe you oughta take a few days to just rest maybe? The last few weeks have been pretty rough and tumble..."

Twila Peterson smirks, "That an order?" with a wink. Actually, she's been feeling some growing achiness as well...which is basically why she choose to remain within the room as well as dressing as she has. So, she knows that indeed she may becoming down with something. And by Rock's manner she can tell she's not really fooling anyone. She becomes a little more serious. ""I promise to do just that. But you don't have to be worried about it. I'm sure it's just a small cold...or something."

Rock nods and stands up, giving her hands a gentle squeeze as he looks at her, "I hope so." he's getting worried alright, Rock's just that way.

Twila Peterson applies gentle pressure in return. "I'll be ok," she tries to reassure him. "Besides, a cold isn't something to get all upset about. We humans get them all the time."

Rock nods slightly . o O (Don't worry Rock, she's probably right...) he tries to convince himself to do. But can't quite shake it, but he pushes it as far back as he can, as he smiles, and says, "Alright, I won't worry... much." he says with a twinkle in his eyes.

Twila Peterson is forced to chuckle. "I *guess* that will have to do," she states teasingly. However, she can't particular blame him. after all, wasn't she rather worried herself over him when he himself was injured? But those last few times he was rather hurt as well. She squeezes his hands once more in loving gesture. "Glad you were able to have a little time off to visit."

Rock nods and smiles, "I'm glad too, I've still got quite a bit of time left too." he says happily, "So I've still got a little time left in heaven before I have to come back down to the real world." he says a tad bravely, boy he can lay it on thick sometimes.

Yep...he sure can. One thing's for certain, Rock certainly doesn't talk like a robot. The remark elicits a rose color towards Twila's cheeks in response. So, look who's being the shy one now? At any rate, she's more than happy to be with him for whatever time she's given. "Flatterer."

Rock shrugs, "Honesty." is all he says in reply, giving her hands another gentle squeeze as he gazes into her eyes.

Twila takes this to mean whatever he had come to work on via his computer must not have been all too important. Of course, if he ever had need to tend to anything here she would offer him privacy, no questions asked. But, such is not the case this time apparently. She smiles back, returning his gaze, seeing some of the the same emotions she feels for him within his own eyes. She's silent for a few moments, enjoying the time...until she offers another of those nagging coughs...which she hopes doesn't spoil the moment. "And how would you like to second the time," she asks quietly.

Rock shrugs and smiles mischieviously as he mock ponders, "I dunno, is there anything in particular you'd like to do? To be honest, I'm not really up to running around town, and I'm sure you're probably not in the mood too either."

Twila Peterson shakes her head. "Very good guess," she notes. Actually, didn't he just caution her to take it easy? Then again, with Rock's form possibly needing to readjust to those repairs slightly more, he prolably shouldn't overexert himself either. The room itself offers plenty of activities on it's own anyway. And then there's the rec room down the hall besides. "Anything in particular? Haven't really given it much thought." There's a pause before, "Although, actually, you did promise to teach me how to transform some of your own miniture robot army..."

Rock's smile widens, as that childlike gleam to his eyes takes over, "Really? You wanna learn?" he gets all giddy, "Just a sec!" he lets go of her hands as he dashes over to his bathroom and into his closet, then appears moments later, with a giant box in his hands and lays it on the bed as he hops up on it, sitting indian style, with the biggest, goofiest ol grin Rock can slap on that cute little face of his, he pats the bed next to him, "C'mon sit down." he pipes.

Twila Peterson stiffles a giggle and joins Rock on the mattress's suraface. "Ok," she states, ploping herself beside him. Twila Peterson leans forward to look what's all in the box. Yes, she knows she'd touched on one of his child-like loves. Some would probably refer to them as "childish"...but not like she's going to fault him for it.

Rock rummages through the box, and pulls out a big semi truck and trailer, "We'll start with the grand-daddy of em all, and he's rather easy too." he smiles, handing the toy to Twila, "That's Optimus Prime." his tone switches into a mighty heroic one, "Kind and just leader of the heroic Autobots!" he says with a wide smile, oh boy, this kid's hopeless.

Twila Peterson looks over the wheeled semi as if examining it. "Optimus Prime? His name was taken from Latin?" she grins. Out of curiosity she opens the back trailer...allowing the toy's 6 wheeled scout car to fall and then softly on the bed covers. "And who's that?"

Rock smiles and nods, "Ayup, and that little thing is Roller." he chuckles, "They weren't as imaginative with it's name."

Twila Peterson picks up the small extension and rolls him a time or two against her leg. "Maybe not. But...it fits." She places the toy aside returns her attention towards Prime's main extension....already unhoking the traler from the cab. "How...is he transformed?"

Rock smiles, "The trailer just folds out from the middle. And then you pull up the little gun platform.

Twila Peterson blicks and carefully snaps the trailer open. And...low and behold guess what is inside. "Some sort of defense bay then?"

Rock nodnods, "Yup!" he smiles, "But the cab is the coolest part." he pipes.

Twila Peterson turns the cab gently within her hands, experimenting a little. She manages to fing the feet and legs easy enough. The arms tho... "They just...move out to the side?" she asks while fanning the Autobot Commander's forearm from it's niche...

Rock nods with a smile, "Yup!" and then points to front of the cab, "I keep his fists in there so I don't lose them, they just plug into the holes where his headlights are."

Twila Peterson ohs and continues on the arms until they rest at the robot's sides. She then opens the chest, finding the hands Rock spoke of, and places them on the toy's rests. Not suuprsingly, she also finds out where the roboit's head is and it is soon revealed as well. she gives him an apprisal with a raised eyeridge. "I take it if this guy was up to scale he's be up to General's own optic level..."

Rock nods, "Probably even bigger I'd imagine." he smiles mischieviously, "But not as big as..." he reaches into his box of toys and pulls out a big giant green chaotic looking robot, "Devestator!" he exlaims.

Twila Peterson just blinkblinks. "Thye sure don't make much of a fashoin statement with that color..." As she studies the newcomer she notes something is...She looks doiwn at this Optimus prime character she holds, looking over the tiny little red symbol on it's shoulder, before glancing at the tiny little purple one on Devastator. "Bad guy?"

Rock nods, as he places him down and raises his hands up making them look all menacing as he narrows his eyes, "An evil Decepticon! And not just one, but six!"

Twila Peterson squints her eyes, finally seeing some of the componants are actually peices of antique versions of construction equipment of some sort. "6 against 1 isn't very fair," she pouts.

Rock smiles, "Worry not..." as he rummages through again, pulling out a -huge- green guy, "For Omega Supreme has sworn to aid Optimus Prime and his heroic Autobots!" boy, he's excited, makes you wonder just how much of a childhood he got to have, or lack thereof.

Twila Peterson looks over Omega as well. "Lemme guess...these 'Autobots and Decepticons must not like eachother all that much," she says with a grin, idly noting that OS doesn't seem abole to break apart as seperate toys as does Devastator.

Rock nods, "I saw an episode of the cartoon they made for the toys, but it was a long time ago. From what I gathered they fought over who's concept of peace was right..." he pauses, "Just on a gigantic scale."

Twila Peterson ohs. "Kinda like what's going on now? Only on just a planatary scale?"

Rock nods, "Sort of, but I don't think Dr. Wily or Sigma really have a concept of peace. The Autobots and Decepticons was almost like a cartoon based on the argument of Totalitarian Government vs Democratic Government."

Twila Peterson smirks. "Never thought cartoons delved too much into politics."

Rock hrms, "And if I recall, during that time period, there was a period they call the Cold War, when Communist Russia and Democratic United States had a lot of moral disputes. Maybe that's what spawned it, sort of a type of propaganda?" he shrugs, "The world as we know it now is a Socialist Democracy now." he chuckles, "Funny how those two opposing governments, almost seemed to meld and evolve into something that the whole world could agree on... it sure took them long enough and a few wars during the 21st century..."

Twila Peterson tilts her head. "Well, may be a lot later than back then, but people are still basically the same no matter what the time scale." She offers a shrug and muffles a cough as best as she can, already well knowing the reploid would just get somewhat worried. "So...who was the 'evil dictator then?"

Rock smiles, "Well, actually, there were quite a few, I've got most of them."

Rock rummages once more, pulling out a silver gun, "This is Megatron, their first leader." he then pulls out a purple and grey cannon, "And this is Galvatron, the next one." he points across the room, "Scorponok, the one i showed you a few days ago, is the one after him." he then points to a giant white and blue one on top of his desk, "And that, is my favorite... Overlord, the leader after Scorponok."

Twila Peterson trails theenthusiastic reploid's gaze. "Why is he your favorite?"

Rock walks over to the toy and picks him up, bringing him back as he sits back on the bed, "Because, in a way, he's sort of romantic."

Twila Peterson ohs? "How?"

Rock pulls out two little things out of his chest, that resemble engines, "You see these two?" he says as he unfolds them into little people, he holds up the black and gold one, "This is Giga. And this," he holds up the blue and silver one, "Is Mega. They're humans in exo-suits that turn into the power source for him. They're a married couple. I just found it interesting, that despite being the leader of what is considered and evil empire, that it was controlled by a couple that were in love and had a strong sense of honor." he sighs, "I guess it's just me wishing I had advesaries who knew the values of those two things."

Twila Peterson eyes Optimus Prime once more before switching his legs so when she sets him down in her lap it very much...somewhat...looks like he's sitting. "But if they did...you really think that would help?"

Rock shakes his head, "No, probably not..." he puts the toys down, "But, then again, from what I read, Giga and Mega eventually gave up on their evil ways... and were killed by another Decepticon, Black Zarak, who looked a lot like Scorponok, just he was, well, black."

Twila Peterson glances down towards Devastator. "Quite a complex storyling...for a cartoon..."

Rock nods, "Who would belive something like a cartoon would be so in depth and interesting." he chuckles, "Even some video games are pretty interesting, I bet some would even make for a really good tv show, or movie, or story..." he pauses, "Nah, that would never happen."

Twila Peterson chuckles, "Maybe for the imaginative..."

Rock smiles, "Maybe." he sorta pauses as he just gazes at Twila for a moment.

Twila Peterson picks up her gaze after idly rolling the drum of the toy cement mixer and returns Rocks gaze. "What?" she asks, smiling in return.

Rock smiles, "I'm just thinking about how fun it is to be around you." he says softly, "No matter how silly it is, you find interest in what I like, no one has ever cared to even ask about my toys, or anything else for that matter about me."

"It's not silly to you," Twila points out with a shurg. "And it's a part of you. So that makes it worth asking."

Rock blushes, and looks down at the two little robots in his lap, and then back up at Twila, "You give me a new reason to love you even more every moment I spend with you Twila." he says almost in a whisper, as his shyness kicks in.

Twila Peterson merely sits there with good ole Optimus Prime sitting in her lap. "You're someone well-worth knowing, Rock. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Rock smiles and blushes again, "Well, a lot of people don't take the time to get to know me... Dad did, of course, and Roll, but Blues just cares about how good of a warrior I am, how much of a 'man' I am." he sighs softly, "Aside from family, the only other person who really cared before you... was Zero..."

The young woman can't help but wince, knowing Zero's absence is rather a sore point for him, and also realizes that he may still be blaming himself for his best friends abduction. "I'm sorry."

Rock shakes his head, "Don't be." he smiles, "I've slowly but surely built up my strength over the subject. And I -know- I'll see him again." he says with a smile, although by the look in his eyes, you know it still hurts.

Twila Peterson was actually referring to the fact there weren't many people who took the time to know the reploid behind the X armor as well as Zero's abduction and the loss felt by it. "I'm sure you will," she attempts to reassure him. "Did he know of your 'merry mechanical men'?" she asks, curious.

Rock chuckles, "Yeah, he did." he smirks, "He suggested we use some of them as prototypes for new Ride Armors, and said they'd be good for 'Tactical Simulation Projects'." he giggles, "Or in other words, playing war with them."

Twila Peterson covers her mouth with her free hand to supress a giggle, something that smarts her already sore throat and causes her to slightly wince. "'Tactical Simulation Projects', hmm? Fancy way of referring to a hi-tech version of 'Cowboys and Indians'..."

Rock smiles, "Well, we can't say that, otherwise we'll sound like kids. Zero's always got to be 'The Man' so he comes up with fancy titles and whatnot for stuff." he shakes his head, "It's no wonder he's with Iris, considering from what I've seen of her, she needs someone strong and macho like him around to keep her out of trouble."

Twila Peterson grins. "Just like he needs someone to appreciate his strength and macho-ness?"

Rock nods, with a smirk, "Exactly."

Twila Peterson hehs, "Well, they say opposites attract. Guess it's true."

Rock chuckles, and nods with a warm smile. He begins putting his toys up and says, "I oughta clean this stuff up, I'm sure you'll probably be wanting to get some rest soon."

Twila Peterson ohs and starts altering the Autobot Leader's form back to that of his alternate version of himself as Rock begins picking up his toys. "Yeah...suppose it is getting rather late."

Rock nods, as he collects all the toys up and places them in the box, getting up to put them away. He takes a bit longer this time, and as he emerges, he's in those almost nauseatingly cute pajamas.

Twila Peterson blinks tiredly, as she sets Optimus Prime back within the box. "Suppose we should both be getting some sleep." This time, her voice comes off sounding a little weaker.

Rock nods as he hops back on the bed, next to Twila, offering his arms for an embrace before they go beddy-bye.

Twila Peterson can't help but smile as she returns the gesture of affection, holding the reploid tightly. *cough* "Sleep well, Rock."

Rock holds Twila within his arms for a few moments and says softly, "And the same to you Twila." he pulls back slightly and gives her a soft kiss on the cheek, "I love you."

Even though he's not subject to human ailments such as sickness or disease, the old warnings of not kissing people on the mouth when ill still holds. Twila returns this gesture of the kiss as well. Afterwords rests the palm of her hand against his cheek, her skin feeling a both or two warmer than usual. "And I love you, always remember that."

Rock nods, and smiles, "I'll never forget." he replies, as he runs his hand down her other arm, before giving her hand a gentle squeeze before getting up off the bed, "Good night." he says with a smile as he pauses at the door.

Twila Peterson sits there, watching him take his leave for the night. "Good night," she replies tenderly.

Rock smiles as he steps out the door, getting ready for another exicting night on the cot. :D