Warning! Contains some slash! Don't like slash or yaoi, please don't read. You've been warned! Thanks!

This little plot bunny followed me home from the TF_Bunny_Farm over on Live Journal.

Jazz/Prowl/Surprise

Also a touch angsty...

"Vorn" = about a year, "Decacycle" = about 1 week, "Cycle" = about 1 day, "Orn" = about an hour, "Breem" = about a minute

"Hi."- normal talk

Hi - unspoken thoughts

Chapter 1

He had worked with Prowl for a long, long time.

Maybe that's what made him think he knew Prowl better than most. Made him think he understood how the logic based mech functioned. Looking back over all the time they'd known one another, he couldn't think of a time when he didn't like Prowl. Not as anything more than a dependable colleague of course...at first... But many mechs will tell how they seriously disliked the SIC when they first met him.

They thought he was too strict, too rigid, too uptight, and formal. And a lot of times, most of the time, Prowl was. Making it hard for many mechs to warm up to him. But none of that had ever stopped him or bothered him, he liked Prowl, just as he was.

They worked together often enough and yet, he found himself making excuses to seek the Praxian out. To have him look something over or enquire Prowl's opinion on an issue. A touch selfish on his part, he knew Prowl was a busy mech but he so rarely indulged in selfishness. And as Prowl was often over looked by just about every other mech, then perhaps his interruptions were not really that intrusive...maybe they were even a little welcomed.

As far as he was concerned, Prowl was an attractive mech. He had a grace all his own. One needed only to watch him to see it in how he moved. The way he walked, the nod of his head, the subtle hand gestures his used when he was explaining tactical strategies, the way he'd bring up his hand and rest his chin on it or absently stroke a thumb over his bottom lip when he was in deep concentration, and his doorwings...well, who couldn't appreciate those.

He could admit, had to admit, he'd fantasized about them. Often. How he would gently trap one of those doorwings between his hands, soothing the sensitive captured panel with caresses and kisses before pulling Prowl into the waiting circle of his arms... But that was just one of many late night pre-recharge fantasies. Something to be quietly indulged in, by himself, then safety tucked away in his processor.

Then he heard the whispers.

There were several versions of the rumor flying around but they all contained one constant...after all this time, Prowl had acquired a lover. But he didn't know who. He wasn't devastated, just simply hurt. No ones fault but his own, and truly he shouldn't have been as surprised as he was. He found Prowl attractive and captivating, why wouldn't another mech?

Another was bound to see what he saw and, unlike him, this mech made a move. He didn't want to site cowardice as the reason he hadn't approached Prowl. He wanted to site reasons like; they worked together too much or their ranks or job duties would get in the way. Really he'd been scared of Prowl's flat out rejection. Because once Prowl knew the truth, there was no taking it back. And most of all, he didn't want to ruin or lose a friendship he truly valued.

Prowl, being Prowl, had not breathed a word of his affair to anyone and his lover seemed to be following the same rule. Apparently, they were found out when Prowl's lover had been sighted leaving Prowl's quarters...far too early in the morning to be work related. He couldn't sound too interested in the rumors, so it ended up taking him all of two cycles to find out who Prowl's lover was.

He wasn't sure what to think when he did. He had nothing against the mech, he was a good individual. But he couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, Prowl was simply lonely. Simply taking up an offer because an offer had been extended. Prowl had been without any mates or lovers for many, many vorns now. The war and work had become his life. This new lover was most likely just an enjoyable break from it all. A short sabbatical.

It probably wouldn't last much longer now.

Prowl, being the work obsessed mech he was, was bound to tire of the affair or drive the mech off with his work obsessed ways. And when Prowl's current fling did come to an end, and it would….it had to, perhaps he would make his feelings known. Maybe it was time to bear his spark to Prowl and offer something more realistic, more permanent. For both of them.

Cycles turned into decacycles and Prowl was still with his lover.

They no longer hid it. That is to say Prowl would openly walk beside his lover and sit by him in the rec room...like they were now. Sitting across from one another, playing a game. During which, from time to time, Prowl would give his lover a soft subtle smile. One you'd miss if you didn't know to look for it. Before Prowl's lover came along, he had been solely privy to those smiles, not that Prowl didn't still smile at him. It just didn't feel the same...or maybe he just didn't like sharing Prowl.

He watched them and felt a pang in his chest...of what? Jealously? Jealous because tonight when he returned to his quarters he'd lay down on a cold berth, alone. Whereas Prowl's lover got to warm Prowl's berth, two passion warmed bodies that would lay together in comfortable entanglement.

He'd be left to his fantasies, fantasies he knew could never compare to the reality of actually having Prowl. Prowl's lover, on the other hand, could touch, stroke, caress, and kiss Prowl as he wished, no fantasies necessary.

He silently watched them, never letting on that he did so, from the doorway of the control room as one prepared for a mission. Prowl's lover nodded at Prowl's many soft spoken warnings (if Prowl had spoken any softer he wouldn't have been able to hear a word of it from the doorway). Prowl wanted him to be safe, to pay attention to the plans, especially the resent details he had updated and marked down.

And if all pit broke loose he was to get out of there as quickly as possible. But most importantly, he was to come back alive. The mech simply grinned into Prowl's stern face (so few would dare!) pulled the tactician into a hug then a short intense kiss before telling Prowl everything will be just fine and made his exit. He waited a few breems by the door frame before entering the room.

Prowl worked at the monitors, looking over various scans of many areas. No doubt burying himself in work so worry had no chance to settle in his processor. Prowl paused for a moment as he entered the control room, his foot steps were no doubt familiar, so Prowl continued on working. As he checked over reports and signed off on this and that, he eventually made his way to stand by Prowl.

"Is everything in order?"

Prowl nodded, "Yes and if all goes according to plan they will be returning in 5 orns."

He sighed and nodded, "Good…good."

Prowl looked over at him, "Is everything alright?"

He paused for a moment before slowly starting, "Tell me. How does it feel-" He was looked down, mindlessly running finger tips over a monitor's screen. He couldn't look at Prowl just yet, he knew his optics held emotions he didn't want Prowl to see, "-to be offered comfort? Not just being the protector but being the protector...and being assured that everything will turn out fine?"

Prowl stared at him for a few moments.

He risked a quick glance at Prowl, "I'm sorry. I overheard you and...and...and before he left he told you everything will be just fine. I don't get to hear that, it is more my place to say it and try to assure it. It's good you have someone to say it to you."

Prowl regarded him of a moment before speaking, "Optimus, do you disapprove of my relationship with Jazz?"

Yes.

"No, Prowl. Not at all. If you want to be with Jazz, I see no wrong in it. I think you should do what makes you happy."

Prowl gave him one of those rare smiles before turning back to his work.

He lingered, watching over Prowl, sighing inside.

That way, Prowl, at least one of us will be.

***Authors Notes***
Thats right, originally called Sideline from Plot bunnies unleashed is getting its own story thing... Its going to end up with a few more chapters than I thought...lets all thank the plot bunny for biting many many times. XD Reading and reviewing is much loved! Thanks!