#valveplug implied

Ricochet decided to ask her partners about the situation the next morning. They were all in Medical and she was helping them prepare for the day. It was one of her sneaky moments of getting extra time with them. She also wanted time away from Starscream until she had an answer, so the bridge was out of the question. 

Spending time laying out instruments brought her back to their Velocitronian days. Making sure everything was all set for when the next patient for the unadvertised part of Knock Out's business came in. No restraints were needed these days, as these were all for routine check-ups. ("Boooring!" Knock Out said when Breakdown announced what the schedule looked like.) After she was done, Ricochet asked her partners for a few minutes to talk before the first patient arrived.

"Done ruminating?" Knock Out asked.

"Yup."

"Then we're listening."

It was hard for Ricochet to explain without giving too many revealing details, but she hoped it wasn't obvious who she referred to. There weren't any shocked expressions on her partners' faces, so she considered it a good sign. When she was done, Knock Out hummed and nodded.

“Let me get this straight,” he said. “There’s someone on this ship that wants to do a one-time frag with you, and you are asking if that is okay by us?”

“Well yeah, you two are my trinemates and Conjunx. I’m not going to do this behind your backs.”

"Oh, that we didn't doubt. We would do the same thing." Knock Out brushed his hands along his helm. "I don’t know why nobody is throwing themselves at me asking for that. I’m a beautiful catch!”

“I’m pretty sure the reason is the other two beings in this room besides you,” Breakdown said. Knock Out humphed and crossed his arms. “Anyways, Ric, you haven’t been able to relax much since we started this trip, and Megatron has been doing his best to keep you too busy to be with us. Doc and I get to be around each other all the time-”

“-and sneak off together more,” Knock Out added.

“The point is, if you’ve found something to help you on this journey, then go for it. We understand and have debated what to do in this situation.”

Ricochet scoffed at that reveal. “Seriously? You guys thought of your response if this scenario came up where someone asks if they can frag me?”

“Medbay can get boring between battles. Look, we’ve talked about Open Relationships with you before, and our stance on it is still the same. Be honest with us and we’ll be fine with you spreading your wings.”

“And other things,” Knock Out winked.

Ricochet sighed in some relief. “Well, at least I know the answer.”

“WE have a question though,” Knock Out said as he put his arms around Ricochet's neck. While his slender fingers traced the back of her helm, he gave a mischievous grin and asked, "When are you planning to tell us that it's Starscream?"

Ricochet's intake fell open and she tried to catch her voice. Breakdown laughed as all that came out was a couple of squeaks, and Knock Out waggled his eyebrows. Ricochet tried to think of a possible lie but sighed in resignation when she realized her shocked look spoke volumes.

"Was it that obvious?"

"Yes," they both answered.

"Ric," Breakdown said, "You two have had some weird sexual tension going on for YEARS. I think the only being on this ship that would be surprised at this situation is Megatron."

Ricochet flinched at that name and shrugged off Knock Out's arms. "Yeah. If this gets to him I foresee multiple Starscream colored bits strewn about the Nemesis."

Knock Out motioned shutting his lips. "Our silence on this is guaranteed."

"Good. Not even his Trine is going to know."

"Which is funny considering Skywarp said the other day, and I quote, 'Those two need to get a room and frag it out.'"

"Oh how right he possibly was," Ricochet said as she gathered up some completed injury reports. "I'm going to go work on these before I quit avoiding the bridge."

"You're not going to see your paramour now?" Knock Out teased.

Ricochet rolled her optics. "No, because I have work to do."

"Never stops us." As Knock Out wore a face of innocence, Breakdown hid his face in embarrassment.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Ricochet scolded. "Get back to work, and no running off for some interfacing before your duties are complete."

"Yes, Commander Ricochet," Knock Out said with a mock salute.

Another snort-laugh came as Ricochet began walking away. "Stop that." When the doors shut behind her she could still hear her trinemates chatting about her new situation. After making it to her quarters, Ricochet dumped the datapads onto the desk. She considered sending her response later but decided against keeping him waiting. Opening her desk computer, she sent out a brief message.

To: Commander Starscream

Re: Proposal

Message: Yes

Later that day she and Starscream passed by each other. As they did, time seemed to slow down. Their eyes locked and their heads turned. Ricochet felt her fuelpump speed up, and she wasn't sure if it was excitement or nerves.