A/N: I apologize this took so long. I've been working on the plot outline for Weight of the World and for Road Rash and unfortunately I fell very ill this week. I also have an April deadline for one of my novels. _
I jolted out of recharge. Sitting up I looked around trying to figure out what had woke me. My alarm wasn't set to go off for another few minutes. The soft sound of someone moving around in the other room surprised me before I remembered. Jazz had stayed over. Slumping back I vented softly. Memories crowded my processor all vying for attention. I didn't want to think about any of it. Forcing myself up, I headed into the main room. Jazz was at the door, looking as if he was just getting ready to leave. I stood there for a moment not sure if I should say anything or not. He was just standing there, his helm tilted down, visor dim.
"Jazz, what's wrong."
He started and swiveled around to face me. "Oh, morning. I didn't wake you did I?"
"I recharge lightly. You leaving?"
"Yeah," He wasn't meeting my gaze. Something was wrong.
I shifted my weight unsure what to say. Things were changing between us and I wasn't sure it was for the better. Waking up next to him last night had given my processor a jolt, one I wasn't ready for just yet. It was apparent he'd been trying to leave before I woke, but why? A soft ache wrapped around my spark as the silence stretched out.
"I won't keep you then."
"See ya' later."
The door slid shut behind him and I shook myself. This was ridiculous. I had work to do. Nothing was going to change between us. It couldn't. Getting ready to go to my morning meetings I refused to think about him or anything but the coming orn and my task list. As soon as I stepped out of my chambers I could tell something was wrong. The first two mech's I saw stared at me for a moment before nodding slowly and hurrying on their way. Odd, but not totally unexpected. The first meeting was with my sector staff. Smokescreen kept smirking at me as we went over the latest reports and gathered intelligence. I pointedly ignored him.
"I need you to send a scout to these two sectors to check that the Decepticons haven't made inroads in our defense grid and make sure that the duty rotation for the sub level patrols is updated. They haven't made a decisive move on any of our positions in a fortnight and I want to know why and what they are planning."
"Rumor is that Megatron isn't even on Cybertron."
I narrowed my optics at Bluestreak. "I'm not interested in rumor. Find out where he is and what he's doing. If he's not on Cybertron the only other place he could be is Trypticon."
"Starscream is in control of Trypitcon station."
"Lets hope it stays that way. With him and his seekers off planet we have a better chance at defeating Megatron in any coming battles." I sat back looking over the data. "I want to send out a team to make sure of Megatron's whereabouts. It could be crucial. I will bring it up with Prime and assign members this afternoon."
"Sure thing. You want volunteers?"
"Not this time. I will hand pick the team."
Dismissing them I started gathering up the data pads wanting to speak with Optimus as soon as possible. If Megatron truly was off the planet it would be a good time to strike at some of their lightly fortified areas. I stiffened as Smokescreen sidled up next to me.
"What is it? You have duties to be attending."
"I'll get them done but I wanted to ask you something first."
I turned to face him. "What is it?"
"Is it true Jazz stayed at your place last night."
I blinked, confused. "Who told you that?"
"So he did." The smirk was back in full force. "About time."
"I don't get what you are insinuating but you need to stop it." I growled.
He held up his servos grinning at me. "Trust you to have a sleep over and do nothing but sleep."
"For your information we watched a movie, but it's none of your concern anyway. You will not speak of it again."
"Yeah right, whatever. See you later."
I glared after him wondering who had told him and why they had felt the need to do so. What was the big deal anyway? Dropping the data pad by my office I headed to the training ground. Ironhide was giving a sharpshooting lesson. I headed to the far side wanting to work on my hand to hand combat in one of the simulators. The unusual sensation that my mesh was crawling wouldn't leave. I had to do something to get rid of the odd sensation. I wasn't used to this pent up frustration and anger. First Aid had warned me this would be the case after the initial shock of what had happened. He'd suggested meditation, but I'd found that tended to allow too much time to think about what had happened. I would find myself becoming infuriated, which counteracted what the meditation was for. So some physical release was needed.
Beginning some limbering up exercises I focused on the way my frame reacted. Moving through the steps I emptied my mind, allowing the concerns that had been plaguing me to be shunted aside to deal with later. When I was finished with the set I moved right into the simulation. It was not a complicated one, but was still difficult. I wanted to challenge myself without risking injury. Not having been out in the field much lately and having been shot the last time, I wanted to be sure I was still in top form. My doorwings always presented a challenge. While they were invaluable when it came to sensing movement and augmenting my other senses, that very sensitivity could also be a liability. I ducked into a crouch remembering to flatten them as the Decepiton's weapon whistled over my helm. Last time I had forgot to move them and had suffered the consequences. You would think after so many vorn of fighting I would have learned, but as with the case with many things, I took them for granted. I was venting hard by the time the simulation ended. The dead Decepticon faded with the rest of it and I blinked realizing I was surrounded by mechs.
I slowly took in the gathered throng unsure what to do or say.
"That was impressive Prowl." Ironhide broke the silence.
I turned to look at him. "Hardly. It was nothing more than a simulation."
"None of us have used that one and beat it." Someone else stated.
"That's not . . ." I paused looking into the faces around me. "That's not possible. This simulation has been around for many vorn."
"Check the stats." Ironhide suggestied, getting a murmur of agreement from several others.
Doing as he asked I shook my head. "Someone must have reset it-"
"Face it Prowl you just defeated an Insecton in hand to hand combat. Not an easy feat for any mech."
I waved him off. "It was a simulation. Return to your exercises."
The rest of the gathered mechs slowly dispersed allowing me to relax somewhat. I hated having that much attention on myself. I started to leave only to pause as Ironhide came up to me.
"Are you okay? I've never seen you fight with such . . . Abandon."
I wasn't sure I understood him. "I simply wanted a challenge. I've been out of the main fighting for so long, sometimes I worry I'm losing my edge."
"I'd say you are still razor sharp, Prowl. That's not all, though is it? Are you still having trouble dealing with what happened?"
It was disturbing how perceptive the weapons specialist could be. I shrugged. "I am fine."
He nodded slowly clearly not believing me. "Alright, well take care of yourself Prowl and if you want a live sparing partner all you have to do is ask."
I took in his imposing bulk and nodded. "Somehow I think the Insecticon would be easier."
His booming laugh drew attention back to us, I shifted uncomfortably. I hadn't realized my statement would be amusing to him. He clapped a hand on my shoulder and grinned down at me. "You just keep thinking that and we'll be fine."
I headed to the refueling center. It was much fuller than I'd anticipated. I almost decided to wait and come back when it was less crowded, but a low energy warning bid me stay. Getting my cube I tried to make my way toward the door. It seemed there were a lot of mech's back from the front lines. Most were the larger magnus class fighters and took up a lot of room. I had to watch myself or risk getting flattened as they joked and shoved each other. I would have hated to be a minibot in that crowd.
"Did you hear? Huffer and Cliffjumper saw Jazz leaving Prowl's chamber first thing this morning."
I stopped, turning to see if I could find who was speaking.
"That don't mean anything."
"Really early, before first shift came on."
"I heard that Prowl was the reason Jazz got into a fight with the Twins."
"You mean they fought over Prowl? That stuck up glitch?"
"He is nice to look at."
"As long as you don't have to talk to him."
Something undefinable was filling me, a deep dark coldness that numbed my core. I stumbled to the side as one of the Wreckers accidentally bumped me. I ignored his apology.
"Jazz could do a lot better."
"Can you even imagine Prowl in the berth? It would be like fragging a drone."
"You would know!"
I had to get out of the room, away from the crush of frames and suffocating atmosphere. I wasn't sure how I made it back to my office as I stood leaning against the shut door. The numb sensation was giving way to a sick hollowness. Shuffling over to my desk I sat and stared at the data pads I'd laid out earlier. Shaking myself I forced down the hollow ache and picked up the closest one. Looking over the information again I sent a message to Optimus recommending a recon group to check out the rumors including a short list of mechs for the team.
I spent the rest of the afternoon immersing myself in planning the mission. If the rumor about Megatron was just that then it could be incredibly dangerous for the team. I had to take every possibility, every contingency into mind and leave nothing unaccounted for. While I was in the midst of it, I got a message back from Optimus. The mission was a go as soon as I had the team assembled and the mission specs outlined. Looking over the duty roster, I picked four and sent the file and the mission plan to him. If it was approved we would leave in an orn. The sooner the better.
While I waited for approval I set about making the proper requisition forms. We would need fuel and weapons. Though I only planned on being gone for an orn, three at the most. I received a quick approval from Ironhide as well as a request. While it was unusual I didn't see why I shouldn't do as he asked. Sending a reply back, I stated that I would. I was filing away the rest of the data when there was a knock at my door.
"Enter."
I rose as Optimus entered. "I wasn't expecting a visit sir."
"I wanted to discuss the mission with you in person."
"Of course."
It was nearly three joor later when he finally left. Typically, discussing the mission had only been part of his reason for seeing me. At times like these it was gratifying to see how far he'd come as a leader. He'd always been an intelligent, observant mech from all accounts. The start of the war had nearly broken his gentle spark, so I was glad to know that he finally was fully comfortable with his command. I might not have been by his side from the start like Jazz and Ironhide or even Ratchet, but I hoped that he valued my input.
